Speaker Recalled Parliament From Recess

Parliament has been recalled from its current recess and will resume sitting on Monday, August 24, 2026, following a directive issued by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. According to an official notice dated August 12, the House will sit from 12 noon on Monday, August 24, to Friday, August 28, 2026, at Parliament House in Accra to consider what the Speaker described as “urgent parliamentary business.”

The recall was made under Order 58(4) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, which empowers the Speaker to direct Parliament to return from recess when circumstances require the House to transact pressing business. The notice, issued from the Office of the Speaker, states that the recall takes effect notwithstanding any contrary provision concerning the House’s recess.

The directive means Members of Parliament will return to the chamber earlier than would otherwise be required under the parliamentary calendar, with the five-day sitting expected to focus on matters considered sufficiently urgent to warrant the Speaker’s intervention. The notice, signed by Speaker Bagbin, does not specify the particular bills, motions, reports or other matters that Parliament will consider during the recalled sitting.

It, however, formally establishes the dates for the emergency return of MPs and places the House on notice that parliamentary proceedings will resume at noon on August 24. The recall comes as Parliament continues its legislative and oversight responsibilities, including consideration of government business, scrutiny of public policy and the performance of its constitutional functions.

Under the Standing Orders, the Speaker’s authority to recall Parliament provides a mechanism for urgent matters to be brought before the House even when Parliament is otherwise in recess. The August 12 notice therefore gives MPs less than two weeks to prepare for the return to the chamber, with proceedings scheduled to continue through August 28.

By: Joyce Owusu