Minority questions need for Parliament recall as Majority defends decision

In the midst of a political clash, Parliament's Majority and Minority caucuses have sparred over Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to bring the legislative body back from its break. The Members of Parliament are slated to convene for a five-day session starting Monday, August 24, to debate a range of issues, such as the screening of recently appointed ministers, shifts in the leadership of the Majority caucus, and a reevaluation of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

The Minority, however, has raised doubts over the necessity of the recall, contending that the topics before the House are neither pressing nor substantial enough to merit Parliament's reinstatement during its recess.

Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, voiced his stance on the issue. He contended that government business had proceeded without any substantial ministers in the past. Specifically, he highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, which functioned under the guidance of a caretaker minister for approximately a year.

"Government was still going on and other government business was still being executed by other caretaker ministers," he explained. Mr. Iddrisu also pointed out the Ministry of Defence, where the Finance Minister had previously served in a caretaker role while simultaneously managing his duties at the Finance Ministry. He argued that if crucial decisions, including budget-related matters, could be managed by caretaker ministers, there was no reason to recall Parliament during its break.

The Minority has also expressed concerns over the financial repercussions of the recall. While Parliament does not make public the expenses associated with such proceedings, the session is anticipated to entail transportation costs for all 276 Members of Parliament, as well as allowances for lawmakers due to the session's timing during the recess.

Nonetheless, the Majority's Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, dismissed the Minority's arguments. He firmly stated that it is not the opposition's duty to decide what constitutes urgent government business. "It is not the Minority that determines urgency or otherwise of government business," he declared. "You cannot say that because there’s been a caretaker minister for a year, when there’s a need for a substantive minister so that certain key things can be done, we shouldn’t do it because you think it is not urgent," he added.

With both factions staunchly defending their positions, the recall is anticipated to fuel political tensions when Parliament resumes its operations later in the month.