Return to the Supreme Court Over Speaker's Refusal to Call Parliament, Dafeamekpor Informs Afenyo-Markin

Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has been encouraged by Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, to ask the Supreme Court to clarify the Speaker of Parliament's decision to reject a recall of the House.

Mr. Defeamekpor claims that Speaker Alban Bagbin used his discretion when he turned down the majority's request for a new session of Parliament.

He questioned if the Speaker's response to the recall request amounted to an interpretation of Article 296 of the Constitution during his appearance on Joy FM's Top Story on Wednesday.

If so, he clarified, it entails carrying out an official duty in accordance with a constitutional clause. Mr. Defeamekpor contended that the Supreme Court should be consulted for constitutional interpretation if the Majority Leader feels the Speaker's decision was incorrect.

"I would like to encourage the head of government business to return to the Supreme Court to decide whether or not it was appropriate for him to use his [Speaker] discretion in this case to deny the request," he stated.

His remarks follow Alban Bagbin's refusal to call a new session of Parliament to discuss pressing government issues. In order to handle urgent matters and guarantee a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic, the Speaker announced that the House would reconvene following the general elections on December 7.

Bagbin emphasized the importance of decorum and national interest in legislative processes, saying, "The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters before a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana." Mr. Defeamekpor went on to say that constitutional issues shouldn't be frequently challenged in court because they can have negative effects.

He clarified that not all decisions call for judicial involvement and that constitutional officeholders are frequently obligated to carry out their obligations in conformity with particular requirements. "Therefore, whenever such a function is conducted, you cannot be rushing to court," he continued.