Ghanaian lawmakers are expected to return to Parliament nearly 72 hours after the Speaker, Mike Oquaye, indefinitely suspended sittings.
The MPs are expected to be in Parliament on April 8, 2020, at 10 AM, a communique from the Speaker’s office said.
The recall is in continuation of the first meeting of the fourth session of Parliament which started on January 28.
The suspension had created some controversy because an indefinite adjournment was expected by the MPs.
Ordinarily, to end a meeting, the Speaker would adjourn the House indefinitely and under such circumstances, a recall of the House would require a 14-day notice.
Parliament later cited the circumstances surrounding the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic as justification for the Speaker’s action.
“What the Speaker did was in recognition of the fact that the whole nation is in a general state of emergency and so it is important that the House acts in a manner that will bring utmost benefit to the welfare of the nation,” the statement explained.
Parliament also noted that “the House could be recalled at anytime” and that it was important that “the House holds itself in readiness for any eventuality.”
It also cited Standing Order 6 which gives the Speaker room to “make provisions as he deems fit” when there is no explicit direction.
The Minority in Parliament is currently threatening to drag the Speaker of Parliament to the Supreme Court for what it terms as the Speaker’s illegal conduct in suspending Parliament.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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