The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has indefinitely adjourned the House following the absence of an agenda, citing the failure of the Business Committee to meet and prepare deliberative items for lawmakers. This unexpected halt leaves pressing legislative issues in limbo, adding to ongoing tensions within Ghana’s Parliament.
The session, initiated by the Majority caucus, was expected to address critical issues. However, when members of the Majority caucus failed to appear in the Chamber, Speaker Bagbin expressed disappointment, noting that the lack of their presence and input from the Business Committee prevented proceedings. “Matters that they wanted us to handle…are not on the Order Paper,” he remarked, adding, “we have a quorum to sit but no business before us to transact.”
Bagbin further explained that without a prepared agenda, Parliament could not proceed. “In view of the failure of the Business Committee to sit…we are compelled to once again adjourn the sitting of the House,” he stated, emphasizing that ongoing challenges made it impractical to adjourn from day to day. Instead, he opted for an indefinite adjournment.
The adjournment highlights mounting friction between the Majority and Minority caucuses, with disagreements over which side holds the majority impacting parliamentary function. The indefinite adjournment now raises uncertainty over when Parliament will reconvene and how the legislative agenda will move forward.
As Parliament remains adjourned, the legislative impasse leaves unresolved issues on hold, adding to the political complexities leading into the upcoming elections.
