Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Kenneth Dzirasah has commended the Speaker of the 8th Parliament of Ghana, Alban Bagbin for adjourning parliament indefinitely.The former legislator told Johnnie Hughes on 3FM that it is clear that the military presence in Parliament on Tuesday 22 October, 2024 contributed to the Speaker's decision to adjourn parliament indefinitely considering the precedence of 6th and the dawn of 7th January, 2021 where the military invaded the Chamber during the election of the Speaker for the 8th Parliament.He observed that the presence of the military at the Parliament had created an anomalous situation which constituted the exigencies of the time to take that decision by Speaker Bagbin."We are not in a war time that requires the presence of the military to intervene.

Obviously, in order to avert any confrontation, the most logical thing any seasoned Speaker would do is exactly what he has done" Ken Dzirasah said.When asked if the Speaker's decision to adjourn Parliament indefinitely will not impede the business of government, the former legislator and private legal practitioner explained that apart from the revocation or withdrawal of the LI 2462 on galamsey and the Appropriation Bill that will provide provisional estimate budget for the running of government for the next quarter.

He added that all the other bills before parliament irrespective will elapse with the tenure of this current parliament and government."The only two critical issues that parliament may consider and reconvene are the withdrawal of LI 2462 and the Appropriation Bill for the last quarter" he stated.Ken Dzirasah went on to admonish that the military is not carved to deal with civil situations as the one at hand and serves as a source of discomfort for MPs to have them in the house hence it shouldn't be allowed to happen again because it also constitutes contempt of Parliament."The level of respect that one is expected to accord the executive, the same level of respect should go to the Judiciary and Parliament because they are the three arms of government guaranteed under our constitution with various assignments and responsibilities" Dzirasah emphasized.Ken DzirasahThe Parliamentary Service of the Parliament House of Ghana prior to today's sitting issued some security directives ahead of the anticipated potential chaos that could characterize the proceedings of Parliament, which didn't include the military involvement.These measures came on the back of the confusion which has engulfed the 8th Parliament after the Speaker of Parliament declared some four seats vacant of which three belonged to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and one to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) thereby changing the status of NDC from the Minority to Majority side, just 50 days ahead of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.However, in less than 24 hours later, a Supreme Court ruling on the 18th October, 2024 overturned the Speaker's decision, thereby heightening the tension amongst the two sides ahead of Tuesday's proceedings.Right from its inception on 7th January, 2021, this 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic which is the first ever Hung Parliament in the history of Ghana was plunged into a state of chaos over the election of the Speaker.

And ever since then, this Parliament has been characterized by many historical occurrences which make it unique in every way.Speaker Alban Bagbin in announcing the adjournment iterated "The Speaker may, in consultation with leadership, suspend a meeting of the House indefinitely or for a period determined by the Speaker, having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in the country. ""Consequently, in view of the current circumstances, the fact that there is a question on the composition and constitution of Parliament and having regard to the public interest and the exigencies of the state of affairs in Parliament, I will proceed to, in accordance with Standing Orders 59(1), adjourn the House indefinitely, ie, sine die."Read also:Military presence in Parliament was requested by Speaker - Ghana Armed ForcesBy Samuel Afriyie Owusu