Parliament adjourned its sitting on Monday, July 15, 2024, after only 24 Members of Parliament were present. The session was cut short following a quorum challenge raised by the Minority.
The Minority had previously threatened to disrupt parliamentary proceedings if the Majority caucus failed to ensure sufficient attendance. During the session, Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, highlighted the issue of quorum in response to Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh‘s plan to present the Ewoyaa Lithium and Bauxite agreement.
Murtala criticized the Majority for consistently relying on the Minority’s presence to conduct government business.
He argued, “Mr Speaker, I’m standing on order 64 to raise a quorum for transactions for business this morning. They bring business to this house, and they can’t consistently rely on our numbers to have government business executed. It demonstrates a lack of seriousness. I don’t think we need to give them this opportunity. They are in our constituencies campaigning, yet they expect us to execute their business for them. It’s completely unacceptable, we could have also done that, we could have left this house, but we have decided to act responsibly.”
Speaker Alban Bagbin was compelled to adjourn the sitting after a headcount confirmed only 24 MPs were present. “Honourable members, head count 24, the house is adjourned,” he declared.