The Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has cautioned that the House will resist attempts to rush legislation through Parliament by routinely suspending its Standing Orders. He emphasized that Bills must undergo proper scrutiny before passage. According to Bagbin, the growing resort to suspending parliamentary procedures to facilitate the expedited consideration and passage of Bills has become a matter of public concern.
Bagbin made these remarks at the commencement of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament in Accra on November 3. He explained that while the suspension of Standing Orders is permissible in exceptional circumstances, it must not become the standard procedure for conducting parliamentary business. The Speaker noted that the various stages of the legislative process are safeguards intended to ensure that proposed laws receive adequate examination before their passage.
The Speaker stressed that the credibility of Parliament as a law-making institution depends not only on its ability to pass legislation but also on the quality, coherence, and constitutional soundness of the laws it enacts. He expressed concern that the haste associated with the consideration and passage of legislation has resulted in errors being discovered after the Third Reading of Bills. In some instances, this has necessitated the rescission of proceedings to allow corrections to be made.
To address the problem, Bagbin urged the leadership of the House to work closely with ministers and chief executives of state institutions to ensure that government business is presented to the House sufficiently early for proper consideration. He also encouraged ministers and their technical teams to be available to assist parliamentary committees and the House in examining Bills and addressing concerns.
The Speaker disclosed that 11 bills are at various stages of the legislative process, while nine instruments are before committees for consideration. The House is also expected to consider 44 papers, 58 motions, and 204 outstanding parliamentary questions, in addition to three urgent questions and one petition. Furthermore, there are 582 referrals to committees requiring examination, follow-up, and timely reporting.
Bagbin urged committee chairpersons and members to expedite work on outstanding referrals and submit their reports within the required timelines. He emphasized that efficiency must never be pursued at the expense of the quality of their work. The effectiveness of Parliament, he advised, is not measured merely by the number of items disposed of, but by the diligence, thoroughness, and integrity with which it discharges its constitutional responsibilities.
The Speaker's warning is significant, as it highlights the importance of thorough scrutiny in the legislative process. By resisting attempts to fast-track Bills without proper examination, Parliament can ensure that laws are well-considered and effective. This approach will also help to maintain the credibility of Parliament as a law-making institution.
Key points
- The Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned against rushing legislation through Parliament without proper scrutiny.
- The credibility of Parliament depends on the quality, coherence, and constitutional soundness of the laws it enacts.
- The House has 11 bills at various stages of the legislative process and 582 referrals to committees requiring examination.
