Parliamentarians would now commence sessions by reciting the National Pledge as part of new standing orders taking effect today, as MPs resume sittings.
The new rules will apply every morning before Parliamentary business commences. A clerk at table will call out the names of all MPs on the register for their presence to be recorded.
Pursuant to standing order 69, the national pledge will be recited once a week. #GhParliament pic.twitter.com/gvRCABQdKl
— Odekro (@odekro) February 6, 2024
It is yet unclear why the rules have changed, but it is possibly influenced by recorded cases of absenteeism among MPs, where for instance in 2022, 3 members were referred to a committee for missing sessions for 15 days.
The change in the Standing Orders also requires heads of independent institutions like CHRAJ, NCCE, and the Auditor-General to appear for questioning similar to ministers appearing before the House.
“Independent bodies like the Electoral Commission, the CHRAJ boss, the BoG governor, NCCE, and the Auditor General are going to be questioned just as we question ministers on the Floor and the mode of answering questions on the Floor has also been provided in the new Standing Orders,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, the First Deputy Minority Whip.