Ghana’s Parliament will reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, to conclude the seventh meeting of the fourth session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. The sitting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., according to a statement signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
The statement, however, noted that the specific venue for the meeting would be announced later.
This announcement comes amid ongoing controversies that have dominated the activities of the eighth Parliament in recent months. The legal dispute surrounding Speaker Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant has been a major point of contention.
The Speaker’s declaration, citing alleged constitutional violations by the affected Members of Parliament, led to widespread public debate and the indefinite adjournment of the House. However, on November 12, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled the Speaker’s declaration unconstitutional, effectively nullifying his earlier decision.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin petitioned Speaker Bagbin, urging him to recall Parliament to address urgent national matters and facilitate government business. The Speaker declined the request, stating that a recall could only take place after the December 7 elections.
With Parliament set to reconvene, lawmakers are expected to address critical legislative issues as they wrap up their final sitting for the year. The session will likely provide an opportunity to resolve pending matters and refocus attention on national priorities following weeks of political and legal disputes.
The upcoming session marks a critical moment for the eighth Parliament as it seeks to conclude its activities before transitioning into the post-election period.
