4 Vacant seats: Council of State pays courtesy call on Speaker

A five-member delegation from the Council of State visited the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to discuss recent developments in the legislature related to the declaration of seats held by MPs who switched parties. This meeting was detailed in a statement released by Ghana’s Parliamentary Services on October 30, 2024.

The Council expressed its willingness to assist the Speaker in addressing any challenges arising from his declaration, aiming to facilitate the Parliament’s recall.

In their discussions, the delegation, led by Chairman Nana Otuo Siribuor, sought firsthand insights into the circumstances that led to the indefinite adjournment of the House. The Speaker briefed them on the situation and reaffirmed his dedication to fostering democracy in Ghana.

The Council commended the Speaker for maintaining the country’s democratic integrity through effective legislative leadership. Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue his efforts for the benefit of Ghana and its citizens.

Speaker Bagbin informed the delegation of his impending participation in the 67th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Sydney, Australia, from November 3 to 8, where he will transition leadership to the newly elected CPA President, the Speaker of the Parliament of New South Wales.

Despite this engagement, the Speaker indicated he would return to Ghana earlier than planned in response to MPs’ requests to recall Parliament, with preparations already underway for an early November session. Notably, he has recently been re-elected for a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures.