Tamale Central MP Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has raised concerns about the financial strain emergency parliamentary sessions place on the state budget.

He disclosed that each day of such sittings costs Ghana at least GH¢1 million, an amount he considers substantial for a single day’s gathering.

Mr Murtala’s comments followed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to indefinitely adjourn Parliament on Thursday, November 7, due to a lack of quorum.

The session had been called at the request of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus, which had petitioned for the House to reconvene.

However, despite their urgent request, members of the NPP caucus failed to attend, leaving only the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus present in the chamber.

The absence of NPP MPs drew sharp criticism from Murtala Mohammed, who described it as a “blatant disregard for the serious nature of convening Parliament.”

He stressed that the NPP’s absence wasted both time and taxpayer funds, calling it an instance of mismanagement that placed an undue burden on the state’s finances.

Speaking to the media, Murtala underscored the significant expenses involved in each recall session, which goes beyond the GH¢1 million cost per day.

He noted that the absence of members also disrupted the schedules of MPs who had come prepared to address critical national issues.

He urged all parties to consider the financial impact of calling Parliament into session unnecessarily and encouraged a more responsible approach to governance.

For Mr Murtala, ensuring prudent use of state resources should be a priority, especially in times of economic strain, and he called on Parliament to exercise greater discipline in convening emergency sittings.

“Why did they waste all of our time? It comes with a huge financial burden to the state. Because if I tell you, one day sitting, particularly in circumstances like this, Parliament would spend close to a million or more than one million Cedis. For all members of parliament, our TNT would have to be provided. Imagine the number."

“I was in my constituency as a matter of fact and I went to my farm and started harvesting my rice. I had just two days to go to the farm and come and continue with my campaign but had to cut short my activities and several MPs were engaged in equally very important assignments. All those Members of Parliament abandoned the scene and came to the Chamber," he stated.