Uncertainty has now shrouded government businesses in parliament including loan approvals, bills, and spending approvals for the first quarter of 2025 as the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin this afternoon suspended the house indefinitely.
This decision of the Speaker comes amid the standoff between the NPP and the NDC caucuses over who the majority side is after four seats were declared vacant causing a dramatic shift in numbers.
Addressing the House on Tuesday afternoon, the speaker indicated that although they have the numbers to form a quorum that can conduct business, the numbers are inadequate to take any decision hence the ruling to suspend sitting sine die (indefinitely).
Some sources from the precincts of parliament indicate that although the Speaker met the leadership of both the NPP and the NDC, they could not reach a consensus on the controversial matter of the current majority in the House.
In addition, the Speaker of Parliament has also instructed his lawyers to file processes at the Supreme Court for a stay of the earlier Supreme Court ruling.
With this latest development, one major impact of the decision is the 2025 first quarter budget which is yet to be approved along with other loan agreements and other businesses, before Parliament dissolved for the general election.
However, there is a glimmer of hope as the leader of the NDC caucus, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson says that despite the indefinite suspension, the House can return in December to approve the budget for the first quarter of 2025.
It is currently unclear when the house would be recalled. However, some experts are of the opinion that the House will be recalled only after the suit at the Supreme Court has been determined.
It is worthy of note that this suspension comes after the House just resumed last week for the last business for this parliament following a long recess.
