Ghana's Parliament special sitting begins today, Monday, August 24, after Speaker Alban Bagbin recalled lawmakers to deal with urgent business less than a month after the House went on recess.
Members of Parliament are expected back in the Chamber following the July 31 adjournment, with the special sitting scheduled to run until Friday, August 28.
The recall means MPs will have to cut short their break to consider matters the Speaker believes cannot wait until Parliament's next regular sitting.
Bagbin Invokes Standing Orders
Speaker Bagbin recalled the House under Order 58(4) of Parliament's Standing Orders.
The provision empowers the Speaker to reconvene Parliament during an adjournment where circumstances require lawmakers to return to the Chamber.
The special sitting is expected to provide the House with an opportunity to dispose of outstanding and urgent parliamentary business during the five day period.
Attention will also be on the political dynamics in the Chamber as MPs return after the relatively short recess.
Ministerial Nominations on the Table
Among the major issues expected before Parliament are ministerial nominations requiring consideration by the House.
Parliament is expected to consider the nomination of Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The nomination of Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology is also expected to come before lawmakers.
Their nominations are likely to form part of the key business during the recalled sitting as Parliament undertakes its constitutional scrutiny of presidential appointments.
The House is scheduled to remain in session through Friday before MPs break again, barring any further changes to the parliamentary calendar.
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