The Minority Caucus in Parliament has formally urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to reject a recall request from the Majority Caucus, arguing that it fails to meet constitutional and procedural requirements.
The recall request, initiated by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin through a memo dated November 22, 2024, seeks to reconvene Parliament on November 28 and 29. This follows an indefinite adjournment of the House on November 7 due to the absence of a prepared agenda from the Business Committee, as cited by Speaker Bagbin.
In a counter-memo dated November 25, 2024, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson challenged the legitimacy of the recall. He argued that the request did not satisfy the conditions outlined in Article 112 (3) of the Constitution and Order 53(1) of the Standing Orders, which require the signatures of at least 15% of Members of Parliament (MPs) to trigger such a recall.
The Minority also criticized the timing and relevance of the recall. They described the attempt as an “ill-fated and ill-timed” endeavor that would disrupt MPs’ engagements with their constituents.
“Should this request be granted, not only will members of Parliament be required to truncate their important engagements with the electorate, but members will have to contend with logistical and other challenges to commute over long distances, difficult and hard-to-reach constituencies to Accra,” the memo stated.
The Minority Caucus further questioned the urgency of the proposed recall, asserting that the Majority had not demonstrated any pressing national emergency or critical government business warranting such a move. They insisted that without a clear justification, the recall appears unnecessary and procedurally flawed.
Dr. Ato Forson and the Minority Caucus urged Speaker Bagbin to prioritize fairness and adherence to parliamentary norms in his decision. They warned that granting the recall would establish a troubling precedent, potentially opening the door to future abuses of the recall mechanism.
As the Speaker deliberates on the matter, this development highlights the ongoing tensions and procedural disputes between the Majority and Minority in Parliament, underscoring the need for strict adherence to legislative processes.
