Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) expresses deep concern over the ongoing impasse in the Parliament of Ghana, which has resulted in the indefinite adjournment of Parliamentary sittings twice without any meaningful progress. The continued failure of Parliament to meet its legislative responsibilities is not only a disservice to the Ghanaian people but also a significant waste of public resources.
As the highest forum for national discourse, it is extremely disappointing that Parliament has been unable to resolve its internal disagreements and engage constructively on critical national issues. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, and the leadership of both the NPP and NDC Caucuses in Parliament must prioritize national interests over partisan concerns and work together to ensure that the work of Parliament continues uninterrupted.
The period between the first adjournment on October 22 and the second on November 7 has led to a standstill, which has been detrimental to the functioning of the state. Every sitting of Parliament incurs a significant cost to the public purse, especially in the current context where Parliament is temporarily using rented facilities due to renovation works on the main chamber. This failure to achieve the intended goals of Parliament’s sessions is an avoidable financial burden on the taxpayer.
PNAfrica calls on Parliament to urgently resolve this impasse and return to the table for meaningful dialogue. We urge the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, to take the lead in resolving the deadlock, leveraging his extensive parliamentary experience to facilitate negotiations and find common ground. It is essential that a compromise be reached, allowing Parliament to resume sittings and continue its important work while awaiting the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the contentious provisions in Article 97(1)(g) and (h).
If internal dialogue proves insufficient, we strongly recommend inviting third-party institutions such as the Council of State to assist in resolving the dispute. Their involvement can provide an impartial perspective and support the establishment of a framework for resuming parliamentary activities without further delay.
Furthermore, PNAfrica calls on the leadership of both the NPP and NDC Caucuses, represented by Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to put the nation’s interests first. We expect all parties to cooperate with the Speaker and any external bodies engaged in the process to bring about a lasting solution.
It is critical that Ghana’s Parliament works together to resolve this impasse swiftly, not only to avoid further unnecessary costs but also to ensure the proper functioning of the legislative body for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
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