The Council of State has summoned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
The concerns of the five-member have to do with developments in parliament since the Speaker declared four seats in parliament vacant because four MPs had crossed the floor.
This was communicated in a Wednesday, October 30, 2024, statement by the Parliamentary Services of Ghana’s Public Affairs Sub Division.
In the statement, the Council of State assured Speaker Bagbin of assistance to “resolve whatever impasse there may be” concerning his declaration, its implication and implementation.
Read it in detail below:
“A five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, today called on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely. After a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.
“The Speaker gave a brief of the situation in Parliament and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House. He assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.
“The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International, (CPA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSHAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America. HRH Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.
“Mr. Speaker informed the delegation that he is compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67! Conference of the CPA International at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
“The Ghanaian delegation includes the former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the two Leaders of the House, two Whips, the Clerk to Parliament, and other officials of the Parliamentary Service,
“The conference is to take place from the 3rd to the 8h of November, where Speaker Bagbin, the Immediate Past President of CPA International, is expected to hand over to the newly elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Speaker of the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia,.
“The Rt. Hon Speaker however indicated that he will return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament. He indicated that his office has already started processes to recall the house in early November. Speaker Bagbin has recently been elected to a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures.”
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