Ghana’s Parliament is set to reconvene today, Thursday, November 7, at the Accra International Conference Centre, following a formal communiqué issued by Speaker Alban Bagbin on October 31.
This recall comes after a brief but intense adjournment period, and MPs are expected to gather at 10 a.m. to address various matters of national interest, although no specific agenda items have been formally outlined.
The Speaker’s recall is guided by Article 112(3) of the Constitution, which allows the Speaker to convene Parliament in times of public necessity.
Standing Orders 5 and 53 further empower the Speaker to summon Parliament when matters of national interest demand urgent attention.
These provisions reflect the constitutional safeguards designed to ensure that Parliament can respond promptly to the needs of the nation, even outside of regular sessions.
The current reconvening session follows the indefinite adjournment of parliamentary proceedings on October 22, which had culminated in heated exchanges between members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This tension revolved around the unresolved question of which caucus holds the majority, with both sides claiming a stronger mandate and position within the legislative body.
The October 22 adjournment highlighted the depth of political division within Ghana’s Parliament. Lawmakers from the NPP and NDC had clashed over parliamentary majority, a dispute that remains a point of contention. The root of the issue lies in Ghana’s unique political composition, with a near-equal distribution of parliamentary seats between the NPP and the NDC, creating an unusual level of competition for influence over parliamentary decisions.
This near-parity has led to complex power dynamics and heightened debates, as both parties seek to assert their influence and secure favorable positions for their legislative agendas.
Notably, the Speaker’s decision to recall Parliament comes amid the backdrop of a Supreme Court ruling that has added further complexity to the already tense situation.
Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed an application from Speaker Bagbin, who had sought a stay on an earlier ruling related to parliamentary seating arrangements.
This ruling clarified that the Speaker does not have the authority to decide on seating configurations within the Chamber. While the ruling ostensibly settles the legal question, it leaves the practical implications unresolved.
Many MPs remain divided on the interpretation and implications of the Court’s decision, fueling concerns that today’s session may witness additional conflicts as members from both sides assert their claims to the majority seating area.
