Ghana Speaker Urges MPs to Prioritize Legislative Scrutiny

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has advised Members of Parliament to prioritize the quality of legislative scrutiny, warning that rushing legislation can lead to flawed laws. He cited recent instances where bills had to be recalled for further consideration after inconsistencies were discovered following their passage. This, he stressed, does not reflect well on Parliament.

Mr. Bagbin made these remarks at the opening of the Parliamentary Training Institute's Annual Parliamentary Committee Leadership Development Programme in Accra. He emphasized that the effectiveness of Parliament depends not only on its constitutional powers but also on the competence, integrity, and commitment with which those powers are exercised. According to him, parliamentary strength cannot be measured solely by the volume of legislation enacted or debate intensity.

The Speaker highlighted that several bills, including the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA) Bill, 2025, have been earmarked for further consideration. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, introduced as a private member's bill, seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy. The GIPA Bill aims to replace the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013.

Mr. Bagbin warned MPs that they, not those pressuring them to expedite legislation, will be held responsible for the passage of flawed laws. He urged committee leaders to take their responsibilities seriously, build consensus, and ensure that laws passed by Parliament can withstand public scrutiny. A parliament with weak committees, he stressed, cannot be effective.

Former Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also criticized Parliament's failure to fully discharge its oversight responsibilities, particularly in relation to the Bank of Ghana (BoG). He lamented that Parliament had a clear constitutional duty to establish committees to investigate infractions involving the central bank but had not done so effectively.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also expressed concern over the conduct of the Auditor-General, citing the practice of leaking audit reports before they are formally submitted to Parliament. This, he argued, undermines individuals cited in the reports and weakens the institution's work. He stressed that the Auditor-General's work is not complete until Parliament has considered and dealt with the report.

Both the Speaker and the former Majority Leader emphasized the need for Parliament to strengthen its oversight and legislative scrutiny to ensure that laws passed can withstand public scrutiny and that the institution remains effective. They urged MPs and committee leaders to take their responsibilities seriously and work to build a more effective Parliament.

Key points

• The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has cautioned MPs against rushing legislation.
• Recent bills, including the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, have been recalled due to inconsistencies.
• Effective parliamentary oversight and legislative scrutiny are crucial for the institution's effectiveness and public trust.