Speaker Warns: Frequent Recalls is a Drain on National Resources

Speaker Alban Bagbin warns his concerns regarding the Majority side’s frequent emergency recalls of Parliament, which he believes are draining national resources. In the recent session convened to tackle important government issues as mandated by the constitution, Bagbin emphasized his apprehensions about the potential misuse of Article 112 (3) during his opening remarks on Tuesday.

Speaker Alban Bagbin Speaker warns concerned about frequent recalls that the repeated recalls of Parliament could disrupt its calendar and adversely affect the annual budget. He emphasized that “frequent recalls can interfere with the planned legislative budget and workflow, deplete national resources, and diminish Parliament’s overall productivity.” He urged both major Caucuses to be aware of these implications.

Given the current economic climate, Mr. Speaker cautioned MPs against misusing Article 112 of the 1992 Constitution, stating that it should not be leveraged to keep Parliament in a constant state of session. This, he noted, would hinder Parliament and its members from fulfilling their other essential constitutional responsibilities to the nation and their constituencies.

He warned that the regular use of Article 112 (3) in this eighth Parliament could create governance challenges, suggesting that “the well-meaning intentions of the Constitution’s drafters could turn into a nightmare.”

“Article 112 should not become a tool to keep Parliament in perpetual or continuous session, thereby preventing Parliament and members from performing the other constitutional functions and duties to the country and constituencies,” he said.

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Parliament has been recalled to deliberate on three motions: a $250 million IDA financing agreement, tax waivers, and a potential reconsideration of a previous decision made on July 30, 2024.

The recall was prompted by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin, invoking Article 112(3) of the Constitution, to tackle urgent state issues, including two major loan agreements totalling $250 million—one aimed at the energy sector and the other for the Ghana Stability Fund, along with proposed tax exemptions.

An emergency session has been set for today September 3 and tomorrow 4th September, despite Speaker Bagbin’s earlier suggestion that a mid-September meeting would be more suitable.

“I recognize the importance of wrapping up pending matters, but I had proposed a recall for mid-September under Article 112(3). Reconvening Parliament right after the recess feels, at best, unfortunate and lacking in good faith,” Bagbin remarked.

In defence of the decision, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin maintained that the recall was essential to confront pressing national concerns.

“Mr. Speaker, the request was made in good faith, aimed at enabling this House to tackle some critical assignments,” Mr Markin said.

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Meanwhile, the Minority, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson opposed the proposed tax exemptions, urging for their conversion into tax credits or linking them to equity shares, as provided by the Tax Exemptions Act.

“The NDC Minority stands firm in its position. These tax exemptions are not in the best interest of Ghanaians,” Dr. Forson said.