Parliament reconvened today, December 16, 2024, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, following a formal summons by Speaker Alban Bagbin under Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and parliamentary standing orders.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin welcomed Members of Parliament (MPs) back, congratulating them on a largely peaceful election that underscored Ghana’s commitment to democracy, despite isolated incidents of violence in some constituencies.
Members of Parliament convened for the December session to address outstanding legislative matters and close the parliamentary calendar for the Fourth Republic.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, a leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), extended congratulations to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs for their electoral victories, highlighting the democratic process as a constitutional cornerstone.
“On December 7, Ghanaians peacefully exercised their mandate to elect a President and Members of Parliament.
“Our friends in the NDC have emerged victorious, and I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minority Leader and his team for this unprecedented feat.”” Hon. Afenyo-Markin said.
On a lighter note, Hon. Afenyo-Markin humorously remarked on the dynamics of political loyalty, suggesting that despite Speaker Bagbin’s contributions, the NDC majority could decide to replace him when Parliament reconvenes in 2025.
Responding to the political shift, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, now poised to lead the government in 2025, vowed that the NDC administration would operate on principles of integrity, probity, and accountability.
“We cannot be like the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government. The time has come to champion policies that genuinely benefit the ordinary Ghanaian,” he asserted.
In the coming days, MPs will deliberate on a packed agenda of legislative priorities before adjourning to prepare for the inauguration of the 9th Parliament on January 7, 2025.
