Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Alban Bagbin, has announced that the House will reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10 a.m.
This decision comes after a request by Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to bring Parliament back earlier to tackle a growing backlog of urgent legislative matters.
In his statement released on December 2, Bagbin explained that the new date was carefully chosen to allow MPs who are contesting the upcoming December 7 general elections time to focus on their campaigns and connect with voters.
He emphasized that the delay complies with the rules set forth in Order 58 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which gives the Speaker the power to call Parliament into session when needed.
Bagbin’s previous decision to reject the call for an earlier reconvening was met with mixed reactions.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus supported his decision, arguing that bringing Parliament back too soon was unnecessary and poorly timed, especially with the elections just around the corner.
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However, with the new date now set, the Speaker has expressed his commitment to ensuring that the essential legislative work scheduled for this year is completed.
The announcement has sparked varied responses. Some have praised Bagbin for adhering to the rules, while others worry that the delay will push back important government business.
As Parliament prepares for its return, all eyes will be on how quickly the lawmakers address the pending issues, ensuring a smooth transition into the ninth Parliament.
As we look ahead to the final session of the year, it’s clear that the pressure is on to finalize the legislative agenda and wrap up crucial business before the end of 2024.