Parliament is set to resume on Monday, December 16, 2024, to conclude the seventh meeting of the fourth session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. The sitting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., according to a statement signed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. The statement, however, noted that the specific venue for the meeting will be communicated in due course.
This reassembling follows a period of legal and political controversy. Over the past two months, Parliament has been in the spotlight due to a legal dispute over Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant. The declaration, which cited alleged constitutional violations by certain Members of Parliament, sparked widespread debate and led to the indefinite adjournment of the House.
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker’s declaration was unconstitutional, effectively nullifying the decision.
Subsequently, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin petitioned the Speaker to recall Parliament to address pressing state matters and conduct government business. However, Speaker Bagbin rejected the request, explaining that a recall could only happen after the December 7 elections.
The December 16 session is expected to address unresolved issues and finalize government business for the year.
