The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) believes the interference of the Supreme Court in parliamentary affairs has significantly influenced the Speaker's decision to decline a recall of the House.

According to Dr Rasheed Draman, many Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus, believe that while the Supreme Court can make any ruling it deems fit, it does not govern Parliament.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, Dr Draman suggested that Alban Bagbin’s refusal to recall Parliament in response to the Majority’s request could be linked to concerns over the Supreme Court’s involvement in parliamentary matters.

• Read also: Your request to recall Parliament is declined – Bagbin to Afenyo-Markin

“Particularly because the Speaker was asked to use his discretion. I believe he would also say let me use the powers that I have and if you want, go and ask the court to force Parliament to come and sit,” he said.

His comments follow the Speaker’s decision to decline the Majority’s request to reconvene Parliament for urgent government business.

Instead, Alban Bagbin clarified that Parliament would resume after the December 7 general elections to address essential matters, ensuring a smooth transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

• Read also: ‘Go back to Supreme Court’ – Dafeamekpor tells Afenyo-Markin over Speaker’s refusal to recall Parliament

"The House will resume sitting after the elections to complete all essential matters, ensuring a seamless transition to the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana,” Bagbin stated.

He emphasised the importance of decorum in parliamentary proceedings and urged MPs to prioritise the national interest.

Dr Draman further noted that the memo from the Majority Leader requesting the recall was an attempt to reconcile with the Speaker and foster unity in the House.

However, he argued that this effort should have been initiated earlier during the initial controversy over seating arrangements in Parliament.

• Read also: ‘NDC Majority Caucus’ urges Speaker to reject NPP MPs’ recall request

"I would have thought that this would have come much earlier at the beginning of the crisis. Because some of us at the beginning of the crisis said you can’t use legal tools to resolve what looks like a political problem that could be resolved by the two sides including the Speaker," Dr Draman remarked.

He also contended that even if Parliament were to be recalled, NDC MPs would meticulously scrutinise all proceedings.

He noted that matters previously allowed to pass without much contention would now likely face extensive legal and procedural review.