The Speaker is leading the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67 Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International (CPA) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from November 3rd to 8th.

But the Speaker has indicated that he will return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament.

He made this known when a five-member delegation from the Council of State, led by its Chairman, Nana Otuo Siriboe II called on the Speaker on Wednesday [Oct 30].

The meeting was to enable the Council of State ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely.

A press statement issued by the Speaker's office on Wednesday night said after a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.

Speaker Bagbin is said to have briefed the Council on the situation and explained the reasoning behind his declarations concerning the four seats in Parliament he declared vacant.

Attached below is a copy of the press statement from the Speaker's office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COUNCIL OF STATE CALLS ON SPEAKER BAGBIN

A five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, today called on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to ascertain at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely.

After a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Rt. Hon Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.

The Speaker gave a brief of the situation in Parliament and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House. He assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country's democracy and its people.

The Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International, (CPA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSHAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America. HRH Nana Otuo Siriboe encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.

Mr. Speaker informed the delegation that he is compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67 Conference of the CPA International at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The Ghanaian delegation includes the former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the two Leaders of the House, two Whips, the Clerk to Parliament, and other officials of the Parliamentary Service.

The conference is to take place from the 3rd to the 8th of November, where Speaker Bagbin, the Immediate Past President of CPA International, is expected to hand over to the newly elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Speaker of the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia.

The Rt. Hon Speaker however indicated that he will return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament. He indicated that his office has already started processes to recall the house in early November.

Speaker Bagbin has recently been elected to a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures.