Ghana’s Parliament Set to Reconvene on December 16 After Election Campaign Break

Ghana’s Parliament, which has been on recess, will officially reconvene on December 16, 2024, Speaker Alban Bagbin confirmed on December 2.

The session will begin at 10 a.m., much to the relief of lawmakers, as the new date allows Members of Parliament (MPs) who are contesting the upcoming December 7 general elections the necessary time to campaign and engage with their constituents.

Earlier, Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had requested that Parliament reconvene before the set date to address a backlog of urgent legislative issues.

However, Speaker Bagbin declined the request, citing the importance of giving MPs ample time to focus on the elections.

According to the Speaker’s statement, the revised date complies with the Standing Orders of Parliament, specifically Order 58, which gives him the authority to call the House back into session when needed.

The decision to delay Parliament’s return has sparked mixed reactions.

Members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus supported Bagbin’s choice, arguing that reconvening Parliament earlier would have been poorly timed and unnecessary, given the election campaigns.

However, members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have raised concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to address government business that has been stalled for weeks.

The NPP’s request for an earlier return was motivated by several bills and projects that require attention before the year ends.

Despite the tensions surrounding the delay, Bagbin has assured the public that Parliament will complete the essential legislative work before the end of 2024.

He has emphasized his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition into the ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, which will take office in January 2025.

The announcement has left many wondering how effectively Parliament will handle its legislative agenda in the limited time before the end of the year.

With elections just around the corner and the transition looming, it’s clear that the next session will be a critical one for Ghana’s political landscape.