Emergency parliamentary session today

Parliament will sit in an emergency session today to discuss the declaration of state of emergency in the Dagbon Traditional Area of the Northern Region.

The Paramount Chief for the area, Ya Na Yakubu Andani II was assassinated and at least 31 people including sub chiefs and close associates of his palace killed in bloody clashes last week between the Andani and Abudu clans.

Following the clashes the President imposed a state of emergency on the Dagbon area exactly a week ago as a measure to curb the violence.

Speaker Peter Ala Adjetey recalled the House from its Easter break to discuss the state of emergency declared in conformity with the country’s constitution.

Government is seeking an extension of the state emergency but under the constitutional provision that can only be decided after Parliament has heard the reasons for the imposition of the states of emergency and discussed whether or not an extension is necessary.

In a statement the Speaker of Parliament said the House would discharge the responsibility imposed upon it by Article 31 (3) of the Constitution. The article states that “Parliament shall, within 72 hours after being notified, decide whether the proclamation should remain in force or should be revoked; and the President shall act in accordance with the decision of Parliament.”

The state of emergency, which was declared exactly one week ago would have elapsed today if government had not sought an extension. Information Minister Jake Obetsebie Lamptey says the extension has become necessary because although the situation seems calm, there’s simmering tension in Yendi.