Ato Forson urges Speaker Bagbin to reject Majority Leader’s call to recall Parliament

The Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has appealed to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to dismiss a request by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to recall the House for urgent government business. 

In a memo addressed to the Speaker which he shared on X, Dr. Forson argued that the petition for the recall lacks merit and does not meet the constitutional threshold required for such an action. 

He pointed out that this marks the fourth time in 2024 alone that the NPP parliamentary caucus has sought an urgent recall, with little tangible progress from previous sessions.  

"The petitioner has not demonstrated that there is any emergency nor urgent government business to warrant a recall of Parliament, with barely eleven (11) remaining days to the crucial 2024 General Election," Dr. Forson wrote.  

Highlighting logistical and campaign challenges, Dr. Forson noted that the proposed recall would disrupt critical engagements between MPs and their constituents ahead of the December 7 elections. He cautioned that reconvening Parliament at this time would place undue pressure on MPs and strain taxpayer resources.  

"This proposed two-day sitting, if acceded to, will mean that members will have less than one week to conclude their campaigns, train their polling agents, and make key logistical and other election-day arrangements. This will disadvantage many members of Parliament," Dr. Forson stated.  

He further criticised the Majority caucus for failing to mobilise sufficient numbers during past recalls, which he said led to the indefinite adjournment of the House on November 7.  

"It is on record that the NPP parliamentary caucus failed to mobilise up to thirty (30) members of Parliament on their side to transact business on the floor," the Minority Leader remarked, questioning the utility of yet another recall.  

Dr. Forson suggested that Parliament reconvene immediately after the December elections to address outstanding government business. He also proposed a leadership meeting post-election to resolve existing stalemates and chart a path forward for the current Parliament, which continues until January 6, 2025.  

Concluding his memo, Dr. Forson emphasised the importance of focusing on the elections, urging the Speaker to "prioritise the conduct of credible, peaceful, free, and fair elections at this stage."  

Speaker Bagbin is yet to respond to the appeal.