Ghana's Parliament has resumed its Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament in Accra, with Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin calling on Members of Parliament to put aside partisan interests and focus on the nation's business. The House faces a significant backlog, including 11 bills, nine legislative instruments, 44 papers, 582 committee referrals, 58 motions, and over 200 outstanding parliamentary questions. Bagbin emphasized that the next eight weeks will be crucial in addressing these pending matters.
The Speaker highlighted that the meeting will be dominated by weighty business, including the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, as well as constitutional reform proposals. The 2027 Budget is scheduled to be presented on November 12, and Bagbin urged committee chairpersons and members to expedite work on referrals and submit reports within stipulated timelines. This will enable the House to properly scrutinize government policies, programs, and budget estimates.
Among the pending items is an anticipated Constitution Amendment Bill, which will review several non-entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution. Bagbin stressed that such reforms require broad national consensus rather than partisan competition, emphasizing that the Constitution belongs to the Ghanaian people, not to any political party or government. He encouraged MPs to give serious attention to the proposed Parliament Bill and Budget Bill, aimed at modernizing Parliament's legal framework and strengthening oversight of public finances.
The Speaker also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the House moves the necessary motion to rescind its earlier decision at the third reading stage and conclude consideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. Bagbin cautioned MPs against rushing laws through the House, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny to produce sound, constitutionally compliant laws. He expressed concern about declining standards of public discourse in the chamber and warned that Parliament would enforce stricter rules on decorum, order, and parliamentary language.
Bagbin urged MPs to rise above partisan interests and work together in the national interest, reminding them that their engagements with constituents during the recess should inform the deliberations ahead. He also announced plans to deepen Parliament's digital transformation through the full implementation of a biometric attendance system, piloting of electronic voting, and exploration of artificial intelligence in parliamentary work. These initiatives aim to build a more efficient, transparent, and accountable legislature.
The Third Meeting's return follows scrutiny of the 2027 Budget's job-creation targets and comes as the IMF concludes its first review of Ghana's fiscal program this week. The Speaker's call for consensus on constitutional reforms is significant, as it seeks to promote a collaborative approach to addressing the nation's challenges. By working together, MPs can ensure that the backlog of referrals and outstanding matters is addressed, and the nation's business is conducted efficiently.
As Parliament resumes, MPs will focus on addressing the substantial backlog of work, including the 582 referrals and over 200 outstanding matters. The House will prioritize the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, as well as constitutional reform proposals. By working together and putting aside partisan interests, MPs can ensure that the nation's business is conducted efficiently and effectively.
Key points
- Speaker Alban Bagbin urges MPs to set aside partisan interests and focus on the nation's business.
- Parliament faces a backlog of 582 referrals and over 200 outstanding matters.
- The House will prioritize the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, as well as constitutional reform proposals.
