|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has indefinitely adjourned sitting amid a controversy over vacant seats, leaving several key parliamentary businesses in limbo.
This decision follows a dispute where National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators occupied the Majority side of the aisle after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs walked out. The NPP Members of Parliament had exited earlier due to a disagreement with the opposition, who had claimed to constitute the majority and taken over their seats.
Here are six key businesses affected by the adjournment:
- Budget approval: The approval of the 2025 budget is crucial among the pending government matters.
- Revocation of L.I. on mining in forest reserves: This was a key condition set by organized labor to rescind its planned strike action.
- Approval of $250 million Ghana Financial Stability Fund: This fund is essential for stabilizing Ghana’s financial sector.
- Approval of $250 million Ghana Energy Sector loan: This loan is critical for addressing energy sector challenges.
- Approval of $350 million worth of tax waivers: These waivers are significant for fiscal policy and economic management.
- Approval of 2 Supreme Court nominees: This is important for maintaining judicial appointments and functioning.
Alban Bagbin informed the House that they had sufficient numbers to conduct business but acknowledged that it was not enough to make decisions. After considering Madina MP Francis Xavier-Sosu’s request for correction of the record from Thursday, the Speaker formally communicated his position going forward.
He also indicated that he has received a court process served on him as Speaker regarding the pronouncement on four MPs.
“We don’t have at least half of all members of parliament present. Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there’s a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament, and having regard to public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59, adjourn the House indefinitely.”
Togo Suspends Yango Ride-Hailing App Over Security Concerns
