Parliament recalled from recess

PARLIAMENT has been recalled from recess to sit today to consider the proclamation of a fresh state of emergency in the Dagbon traditional area by the President.

This is in fulfilment of a constitutional requirement which stipulates that within 72 hours after being so notified, Parliament should decide whether the proclamation published in the Gazette, should remain in force or be revoked, within 72 hours after being so notified.

The President acting on the advice of the Council of State and the national Security Agencies, declared a fresh state of emergency in the Dagbon Traditional Area on April 18, following the inability of Parliament to pass a resolution to have the state of emergency in the area extended.

The resolution gained 88 votes with 73 against it. However, it needed 100 or more votes to pass through as required by the Standing Orders of the House.

Under the Emergency Powers of the Constitution, Article 31 (1), ?the President may, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, by Proclamation published in the Gazette, declare that a state of emergency exists in Ghana or in any part of Ghana...?.

Clause Three of the same article states that ?Parliament shall, within 72 hours after being so notified, decide whether the proclamation should remain in force or should be revoked.

A statement by Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, Press Secretary to the President, on Thursday said the declaration was in cognisance with the reasons Parliament assigned for not renewing the State of Emergency.

The statement gave the assurance that the government would continue to work with all interested parties on the basis of good faith to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the shortest possible time.

It said the security agencies are closely monitoring the situation, which would be reviewed when appropriate. A state of emergency was first imposed on March 27, 2002 following communal violence at Yendi on March 25, which led to the death of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and many others.