Indefinite suspension of Parliament by Speaker does not amount to proroguing – Public Affairs Director

The Public Affairs Director of the Parliament of Ghana, Ms Kate Addo says the indefinite suspension of the House by the Speaker does not amount to proroguing.

According to her, the Speaker of Parliament is not vested with the power to prorogue Parliament as per Article 113(1) of the Constitution and if any Speaker did that, it will be null and void.

The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye on Saturday, April 4, 2020, when the House had concluded its sitting for that day, announced an indefinite suspension of the House instead of an adjournment.

The Speaker’s reason was that his unprecedented action was Parliament’s response to the general state of national emergency that the nation finds itself in.

The announcement by the Speaker agitated the Minority and caused a furor among the Minority, with its Leader describing it as an unacceptable, dictatorial rule.

The Minority Leader gave an indication that the Minority may head to the Supreme Court over the action of the Speaker.

However, reacting to the incident in a statement on Monday, April 6, 2020, Ms Addo said notwithstanding the misunderstanding and seeming acrimonious note on which the House ended, the Leadership of the House is in communication to resolve the issues for the benefit of the country.

Source: Fiilafmonline/Graphic