Speaker Alban Bagbin has once again adjourned Parliament indefinitely, marking the second such adjournment in recent days.
This latest decision followed the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday, November 7, when the House reconvened after an earlier adjournment.
The absence of the majority caucus rendered it impossible to form a quorum, halting any further parliamentary proceedings for the day.
In his address to MPs present in the chamber, Speaker Bagbin explained that the lack of quorum prevented Parliament from transacting any business.
“There is no quorum to conduct business today, as the NPP MPs are absent,” Bagbin stated, expressing his disappointment with the ongoing disruptions.
He added that the Business Committee had failed to present a business order for the day, further complicating the session. Without an agenda, there was nothing for Parliament to deliberate upon.
The Speaker also emphasized that this situation was exacerbated by the failure of the Business Committee to convene, a result of the NPP MPs’ refusal to attend the session after they had previously triggered the recall of Parliament.
“In the absence of the Business Committee and the refusal of those who requested the recall to attend, we are left with no option but to adjourn the House indefinitely,” Bagbin declared, signaling his frustration over the continuous delays in parliamentary proceedings.
This adjournment follows previous tensions between the NPP and opposition members regarding the composition of Parliament and which party holds the majority.
The absence of the NPP MPs highlights growing frustrations within the House, particularly regarding the ongoing dispute over vacant seats and the inability of lawmakers to effectively conduct business.
Bagbin’s move to adjourn Parliament indefinitely has sparked widespread reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, with many questioning the commitment of MPs to their legislative duties.
Critics argue that these repeated adjournments and absences undermine the effectiveness of Parliament and delay important national decisions.
However, others point to the ongoing tensions within the ruling party and the broader political environment as factors contributing to the chaos in Parliament.
The indefinite adjournment also raises concerns about the progress of pending legislation and the impact on national governance, as the parliamentary calendar remains in limbo.
With important issues such as the 2024 election preparations, national security, and economic policies on the table, the continued disruption of parliamentary proceedings is expected to delay crucial decisions that could affect the country’s future.
The Speaker’s decision has further intensified political tensions, particularly with the opposition, which has repeatedly called for greater discipline and adherence to parliamentary norms.
As the nation waits for the next steps, all eyes will be on how both the Speaker and Parliament address these ongoing issues and whether MPs can find common ground to resume normal legislative operations.
