Ato Forson Calls on Speaker Bagbin to Dismiss Majority Leader’s Request to Recall Parliament

Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has called on Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to reject the request made by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to recall Parliament for urgent government business. In a memo addressed to the Speaker and shared on social media platform X, Dr. Forson argued that the petition submitted by the Majority Leader was without merit and did not meet the necessary constitutional requirements for such an action. He pointed out that the request marked the fourth time in 2024 that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary caucus had sought an urgent recall of Parliament, despite minimal progress or outcomes from previous recalls.

In his memo, Dr. Forson stated that the Majority Leader had not provided sufficient evidence of an emergency or critical government business that would justify the recall of Parliament, especially considering that there are only eleven days remaining until the 2024 General Election. Dr. Forson expressed concern that the timing of the recall would create undue logistical challenges for Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly as they are already focused on their election campaigns. With the December 7 elections approaching, Dr. Forson noted that a recall at this juncture would hinder MPs’ ability to effectively engage with their constituents, finalize their campaign plans, train their polling agents, and make necessary logistical arrangements for election day.

Dr. Forson further explained that the proposed two-day sitting of Parliament, if approved, would leave MPs with less than one week to complete their campaigning activities. This limited time would also restrict their ability to prepare adequately for election day, disadvantaging several MPs, especially those in competitive constituencies. He also raised concerns about the pressure the recall would place on taxpayer resources, with Parliament needing to allocate funds and resources for the sitting, which he argued would be counterproductive in the lead-up to a crucial national election.

In addition to his concerns over timing and resources, Dr. Forson criticized the Majority Caucus for their failure to mobilize enough MPs during previous recall sessions. He pointed out that during the last recall session, which took place on November 7, 2024, the NPP parliamentary caucus failed to gather the minimum required number of MPs, with fewer than thirty members showing up for the sitting. This failure led to the indefinite adjournment of the House, a situation Dr. Forson deemed highly ineffective. He questioned the practicality of yet another recall, especially given the Majority’s inability to conduct business in the past.

The Minority Leader proposed an alternative plan, suggesting that Parliament reconvene immediately after the December elections to address any remaining government business. He emphasized that the political situation and the focus on the elections made this an impractical time for such a recall. Dr. Forson also recommended that a leadership meeting be held post-election to resolve any outstanding issues or stalemates within Parliament and to chart a way forward for the current Parliament, which will remain in session until January 6, 2025.

Dr. Forson concluded his memo by reiterating the importance of focusing on the upcoming elections, urging Speaker Bagbin to prioritize the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections. He stressed that the primary concern at this time should be ensuring a smooth electoral process, with all available attention focused on preparing for the December 7 elections.

The call for the recall has sparked a wider debate within the political sphere, with many questioning the timing and necessity of such a move. While the Majority Leader and his caucus argue that urgent business needs to be addressed before the end of the year, the Minority Leader and other critics are wary of the timing, suggesting that it could undermine the election preparation process for MPs and distract from the primary goal of a peaceful and organized election.

Speaker Bagbin, who has yet to respond to Dr. Forson’s appeal, will likely consider the broader implications of reconvening Parliament at this critical time, balancing the need to address government business with the logistical challenges posed by the upcoming elections. The debate on whether to recall Parliament will continue to unfold in the coming days as both sides weigh the impact of such a decision on the country’s political and electoral landscape.