Ghana’s parliament resumes sitting today

Lawmakers in Ghana’s Parliament will resume work today, Thursday, April 30, 2020 — for its first meeting of the Fourth Session.

This was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye on April 27, who added that the recall is consistent with Order 6 of the House’s Standing Orders.

Consideration of Tax waivers on donations of stock of goods of equipment and goods for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic; permitting the deduction of contributions and donations towards COVID-19 as an allowable expense for tax purposes; among others, are top on the agenda.

Parliament was suspended on Saturday, April 4, leading to criticisms particularly from the Minority that the Speaker was stepping out of bounds and exhibiting autocratic tendencies.

They had wished he adjourned sittings with a definite resumption date rather than suspend it indefinitely.

The Speaker, however, defended his action as lawful, also underpinned by the uncertainty of the times as engendered by the coronavirus pandemic – COVID-19.

Among matters before the House was the Electoral Commission’s submission for the passage of legislation to enable citizens to use the Ghana Card and Ghana passport as proper identities for registration as voters.