Speaker adjourns sitting after only 24 MPs show up in Parliament

Parliamentary proceedings were abruptly halted on Monday, 15 July 2024, after a quorum dispute led to an adjournment when only 24 Members of Parliament (MPs) attended the session, falling short of the required number for conducting official business.

The session began with the Minority's earlier threats to disrupt proceedings if the majority caucus failed to ensure adequate attendance.

The situation escalated when Tamale Central MP Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed raised the issue of quorum, accusing the Majority of consistently relying on Minority members to pass government business.

“Mr. Speaker, I’m standing on order 64 to raise a quorum for transactions for business this morning. They bring business to this house, and they can’t consistently rely on our numbers to have government business executed,” the Tamale Central MP asserted during the session.

Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh was scheduled to present the Ewoyaa Lithium and Bauxite agreement.

However, the Tamale Central MP vehemently objected, criticizing the Majority's absenteeism.

“It demonstrates a lack of seriousness. I don’t think we need to give them this opportunity. They are in our constituencies campaigning, yet they expect us to execute their business for them. It’s completely unacceptable. We could have also done that; we could have left this house, but we have decided to act responsibly,” he stated.

With the headcount revealing only 24 MPs present, Speaker Alban Bagbin was left with no choice but to adjourn the sitting.

“Honourable members, headcount 24, the house is adjourned,” the Speaker said.