The move forms part of efforts to cushion gold mining firms following the introduction of the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations, 2025.

The Legislative Instrument establishes a sliding-scale framework that allows royalty rates to be adjusted in response to fluctuations in international market prices, enabling the state to earn more during periods of high commodity prices.

However, the Minority Caucus has raised concerns that the new L.I. could cost Ghana up to one million jobs and make the mining sector less attractive to investors.

In response to these concerns, the government says the proposed reduction in the Growth and Sustainability Levy is intended to mitigate the potential impact of the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations on mining companies.

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, defended the amendment during the second reading of the bill in the Parliament of Ghana, explaining that the previous requirement created practical challenges for many private institutions.

According to him, the earlier law, the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023), made it compulsory for private universities to obtain a Presidential Charter within six years, a provision that many institutions struggled to meet.

“Historically, under the National Accreditation Board, a charter has never been compulsory. It has always been optional,” the minister told the House.

He noted that the requirement placed significant financial pressure on private institutions due to the high fees payable to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The government believes the policy could have forced several institutions to shut down, potentially affecting thousands of students enrolled in private tertiary institutions across the country.

“Government recognises the contribution of private tertiary institutions, numbering over 79, which have made significant contributions to the provision of higher education and quality education across the country,” Mr Iddrisu said.

He warned that forcing all these institutions to obtain a charter could lead to the collapse of some universities that may not yet have the capacity to operate independently.

The amendment, he explained, will now allow private universities to apply for a charter only when they believe they have satisfied the requirements to operate independently and award their own degrees and diplomas.

“So if an institution, subject to mentoring, thinks that it has satisfied the requirement and can be on its own, it may request to be chartered,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu also assured Parliament that regulatory oversight and quality assurance would still be maintained by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission through institutional accreditation, programme approval and academic audits.

The Education Committee of Parliament supported the amendment, noting that the previous regime risked disrupting the education of thousands of Ghanaian students if some private universities were forced to shut down.

The amendment also allows private universities to participate more actively in programme approval processes, ensuring that courses introduced by these institutions align with national education policy objectives.

Government says the reform forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s tertiary education sector while recognising private universities as key partners in expanding access to higher education.

In an interview with Accra-based Okay FM, the MP clarified that the images are manipulated and do not reflect what actually occurred during parliamentary proceedings.

“There are several of the photos going around. Even one of them had me with my mouth wide open. These are AI-generated photos,” he explained.

Baba Jamal suggested the circulation of the images is part of efforts by some individuals to discredit him following what he described as a significant moment in his political journey.

“People would always want to dent every beautiful thing when it happens,” he added.

The photos began trending on social media shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, prompting mixed reactions from users online.

Baba Jamal, who previously served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, was declared the winner of the Ayawaso East parliamentary seat on March 3, 2026, after polling 10,884 votes, defeating the NPP’s Yussif Ali Baba, who received 4,009 votes.

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Speaking at the conclusion of the debate on the 2026 State of the Nation Address, the Effutu MP cited both historical and recent tariff adjustments to support his claim.

“To go down memory lane, in 2015, electricity tariffs rose as high as 31% in the second quarter and reached 59% by the fourth quarter. In total, electricity increased by 90%, while water went up by 88% under the previous NDC administration in 2015 alone,” he said.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin also highlighted more recent adjustments in 2025 and early 2026. Electricity tariffs increased by 14.75% on May 3, 2025, followed by 2.45% on July 1, 2025, and a further 1.14% on October 1, 2025. Another hike of 9.8% took effect on January 1, 2026.

“In total, these adjustments amount to a cumulative increase of 28.14% in electricity tariffs alone. That is the record of the NDC, and it is something the President did not address in his speech,” he stated.

The Minority Leader argued that the figures reflect a persistent pattern of steep utility increases under NDC administrations, raising concerns about the party’s approach to managing essential public services.

Leaders of both the Majority and Minority caucuses delivered their final remarks during proceedings on Wednesday, March 11.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the government’s decision to purchase a presidential jet while several hospital projects across the country remain incomplete. He also raised concerns about what he described as unfulfilled promises to create jobs for the youth, noting that some young people were unable to participate in recent security recruitment exercises due to challenges accessing the internet.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin further criticised the reduction in the cocoa producer price, arguing that the move has worsened the situation of cocoa farmers.

However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended government policies, stating that cocoa producer prices have reached unprecedented levels under the current administration. He said the policy forms part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector and promote local industrialisation.

Parliament subsequently adopted the motion on the address, which was moved by Isaac Adongo and seconded by John Ntim Fordjour.

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According to him, he and other lawmakers in the Minority caucus have received numerous complaints from constituents who were disqualified during the recruitment process after encountering difficulties with the online testing system.

Speaking on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Mr. Afenyo-Markin urged the government to review the system to make the recruitment process more inclusive, particularly for applicants with limited digital literacy.

“Mr. Speaker, the military did something good. They created a system that allowed people to take the aptitude test directly. If it is possible, the system should be changed to enable our boys and girls who are not educated in ICT to write it manually,” he said.

The Effutu MP noted that many applicants from rural communities struggle to navigate the online testing platform.

“I am for AI. I am for IT. But you cannot suddenly call someone from Pusiga or Bunkurugu who knows nothing about IT and ask them to write an aptitude test using AI. If they don’t have the means, they fail,” he added.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin stressed that the issue should not be politicised, describing it as a systemic challenge that requires urgent attention from the appropriate ministry.

According to him, several applicants are compelled to spend money at internet cafés to complete the tests, only to encounter technical difficulties that prevent them from proceeding.

“I think it is a serious system challenge that the ministry would have to look at properly because it is we, the MPs, who are carrying the burden,” he said.

He therefore appealed to the government to review the current system to ensure that recruitment into the security services remains fair and accessible to all qualified applicants.

The proposed amendment aims to regulate the raising and use of funds by political parties and candidates during election campaigns.

It is also expected to establish clear rules governing donations, disclosure requirements and spending limits to promote transparency and accountability in Ghana’s political financing system.

According to the lawmaker, the bill is intended to strengthen democratic governance by ensuring that political competition is conducted on a fair and transparent basis.

The initiative also seeks to address concerns about the influence of unregulated money in politics and the potential risks it poses to electoral integrity.

If passed, the amendment would introduce a structured framework for monitoring and reporting campaign finances by political parties and candidates.

The regime is expected to outline the roles of relevant state institutions in supervising compliance and enforcing the new regulations.

The private member’s bill is expected to be presented to Parliament of Ghana for consideration, where lawmakers will debate its provisions before deciding whether to approve the proposed changes to the existing law.

Addressing the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Development at Parliament House on Monday, March 9, Dr. Asiama said the country entered 2025 in a fragile state, but decisive policy measures have begun to deliver results.

“When I assumed office as Governor in February 2025, the Ghanaian economy was emerging from one of the most challenging periods in recent history,” he said.

According to Dr. Asiama, the country had been grappling with high inflation, a weakening currency, and the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on the financial sector.

He explained that inflation stood at 23.8 percent at the end of 2024, far above the central bank’s target band of 8 ± 2 percent, while the Ghana cedi had depreciated by about 24.8 percent during the same period.

“Persistent inflation had eroded household purchasing power, complicated business planning, and weakened confidence in the macroeconomic environment,” he said.

To restore stability, the central bank adopted a tight monetary policy stance, intensified open market operations to absorb excess liquidity, and introduced measures to strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves.

Among the steps taken was the expansion of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which increased Ghana’s gold reserves from about 8.7 tonnes in 2021 to more than 40 tonnes by October 2025.

However, Dr. Asiama noted that the Bank later rebalanced part of the gold holdings to reduce concentration risk.

“Ghana’s gold reserves remain part of our national reserves; what changed as part of this measure was the composition of those reserves,” he clarified.

“In light of these considerations, the Bank undertook a measured portfolio rebalancing, converting a portion of its gold holdings into foreign exchange assets to restore a more balanced reserve composition.”

He stressed that the move did not amount to a loss of national assets but rather a diversification strategy to ensure the reserves remain liquid and resilient.

The Governor told the Committee that the policy measures have produced significant macroeconomic improvements.

Inflation declined from 23.8 percent in December 2024 to 5.4 percent by December 2025, and further to 3.3 percent in February 2026.

“The results of these efforts are now evident in the macroeconomic data,” Dr. Asiama said.

He added that Ghana’s external buffers have strengthened, with gross international reserves rising to about $13.8 billion by the end of 2025, providing roughly 5.7 months of import cover.

Interest rates have also begun to ease, with the Monetary Policy Rate reduced by 900 basis points in 2025 to 18 percent.

Dr. Asiama further noted that Ghana’s banking sector has shown signs of recovery after the impact of the debt exchange programme.

Capital adequacy in the banking sector improved to 17.5 percent, well above the 13 percent regulatory requirement, while the non-performing loan ratio declined from 21.8 percent to 18.9 percent.

Total banking sector assets increased from GH₵368 billion to GH₵447 billion, with deposits rising to GH₵325 billion.

“Taken together, these indicators show that the banking system today is liquid, solvent, and profitable, and increasingly positioned to support Ghana’s economic recovery,” he said.

Dr. Asiama acknowledged that the stabilisation measures have had financial implications for the central bank, including higher costs associated with liquidity management and the restructuring of government securities.

However, he assured lawmakers that these outcomes do not affect the central bank’s ability to carry out its mandate.

“Lower inflation, exchange rate stability, and improved macroeconomic confidence have delivered significant benefits to households, businesses, and government,” he stated.

Looking ahead, the Bank of Ghana Governor expressed optimism about the country’s economic outlook but cautioned that global uncertainties remain.

“Lower inflation, stronger external buffers, and improving financial sector conditions provide a solid foundation for sustained economic recovery,” he said.

“The Bank of Ghana will therefore continue to pursue a prudent, disciplined, and data-driven approach to monetary policy.”

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The brief ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in the chamber of the Parliament of Ghana.

During the event, Mr. Baba Jamal Ahmed took the oath of office and the oath of allegiance administered by the Speaker, officially assuming his duties as the representative of Ayawaso East in Parliament.

After administering the oath, the Speaker advised the newly sworn-in legislator to remain committed to the mandate given to him by his constituents and to prioritise their interests in his parliamentary work.

“During your campaign, you promised the people of Ayawaso East that you wanted to serve them as a Member of Parliament, and by doing so, serve Ghana. You don’t want to serve Ghana as a High Commissioner in Nigeria,” the Speaker said.

“I took note of those statements, and I am going to hold you, as my son, accountable to the good people of Ayawaso East. Serving them, you must. So I will focus on you on this floor to see how you perform in serving them,” he added.

The incident dates back to November 2021 when Parliament was considering the 2022 Budget Statement and Fiscal Policy. At the time, observers noticed that Adwoa Safo’s seat was occupied by a woman many believed was not her.

The development generated widespread debate across social and traditional media, particularly because Ghana had a hung Parliament at the time, where the absence of a single Member of Parliament could have affected the outcome of the vote.

In an interview in March 2025, Adwoa Safo confirmed that she was indeed the one present in Parliament, explaining that she had just returned from the United States and was still recovering from childbirth.

However, the Tamale South MP says he may eventually reveal what truly happened.

“The lady MP knows whom she spoke to; I probably wasn’t aware. But as Minority Leader, I needed to protect her seat. That was why I never wanted people to know who that person was,” he stated in an interview on Accra-based TV3.

Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks while responding to recent developments in Parliament involving Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, who recently withdrew and apologised for claims he made about recruitment into the security services after they were found to be unsubstantiated.

He urged the Effutu MP to exercise caution when making public statements, stressing that such remarks must always be backed by facts.

“The Minority Leader needs to choose his battles. If you read authorities in parliamentary jurisprudence, the truth must always rest with the Minority. So make sure when you’re speaking as Minority Leader, you’re certain that you cannot be contradicted,” he said.

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His retraction follows a directive from the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, who recommended that the Minority Leader be referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee over possible contempt. The directive came after the Interior Minister complained that the claims made against him were unfounded.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had previously alleged that the use of a third-party IT company in the recruitment process amounted to a scam and imposed excessive costs on applicants.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 4, the Minority Leader formally withdrew his remarks and apologised.

“Mr Speaker, I will not do that to hurt him or tarnish his reputation, and if the text of my concern reflected so, it is hereby accordingly withdrawn. I assure you that concerns that will arise out of any matter shall be properly brought to his attention,” he stated.

Responding to the apology, the Interior Minister accepted it but noted that the allegations had caused him considerable distress, particularly given the seriousness of the accusations.

“It is painful to be wrongly accused and be labelled differently from the intention that you have, especially when it is connected with heavy wrongdoing. I am heavily hurt and heavily worried, but who am I to say that I will not accept when my colleague comes to apologise? I accept it wholeheartedly. My plea is that, if it is possible, it should be expunged from our records so that it will be as though it never happened,” he said.

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The referral stems from claims attributed to the Minority Leader that the ongoing security recruitment exercise is a scam and that the engagement of a third-party IT firm has imposed excessive financial burdens on applicants.

Addressing the House on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Ahiafor clarified that the referral should not be construed as a finding of guilt.

“The fact that this matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee does not mean that the person is guilty. That is why I said all persons are supposed to be deemed innocent.

“I am not pronouncing on the guilt of the Minority Leader or otherwise. I am not. It is not my responsibility at this stage to do so. It is the responsibility of the committee to make its recommendation to the House,” he stated.

In response, Afenyo-Markin signalled his readiness to appear before the committee and called for the proceedings to be held in public.

“Honourable Minister for the Interior, I am not too sure you want us to pursue this matter. I repeat, because you and I know what we know. Let the referral be made, let there be a public hearing.

“Let Afenyo-Markin, who these days is perhaps being portrayed, according to the allegation, as saying something untruthful — and because of that, it is deemed a breach of parliamentary privilege — be heard. Mr Speaker, you have the wisdom to exercise discretion.

“I will avail myself, should you exercise that discretion, to a public hearing, and then the matter can be brought to a peaceful rest.”

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga cautioned that attempts to manufacture what he described as unfounded scandals against the government would not succeed.

He further warned that members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would push for strict sanctions if the Minority Leader fails to substantiate his claims before the committee.

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His comments come after Members of Parliament on the Majority side displayed photographs of Mr Ofori-Atta in the chamber on Friday, moments after President John Mahama delivered his State of the Nation Address.

The MPs were heard singing and chanting, “They said the man will run away, and it has happened,” in apparent reference to the former minister’s absence from the country and mounting public calls for him to return to face scrutiny over his tenure.

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, Mr Afenyo-Markin said while accountability is necessary, Parliament must not abandon the principles of fairness and due process.

“I think we have not been very fair in dealing with Ken Ofori-Atta as politicians, as people. We say we want the rule of law and fair hearing, but we are quick to pronounce people guilty,” he stated.

The Minority Leader revealed that he was personally affected by the incident in the chamber.

According to him, during the proceedings, he received a message from Mr Ofori-Atta’s brother, Duke Ofori-Atta, who is also a Member of Parliament.

“When I was sitting there, his brother Duke texted me, ‘Leader, why are they doing this to my brother?’ I felt the pain,” he recounted.

Mr Afenyo-Markin stated that he is not shielding anyone from scrutiny but is concerned about what he described as the growing tendency to “crucify” individuals in the court of public opinion before investigations are concluded.

“I am not standing in the way of anybody asking for accountability. I don’t want anybody to get me wrong. I am talking about the way and manner we are going about things,” he explained.

He noted that political actors, particularly those in opposition, are often privy to sensitive information but must exercise restraint in how such matters are handled.

“You want to pronounce people guilty before trial. I was just signaling them to be fair,” he added.

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In line with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution, the SONA provides the President an opportunity to account for his stewardship and outline government’s policy direction for the year ahead.

During the 2026 SONA, President Mahama declared that Ghana’s economy is stabilising and returning to growth, telling Parliament that “Ghana is back” and “Ghana is working again.”

He also pledged to address the long-standing “no bed syndrome” in the country’s hospitals, assuring that patients in emergency situations will be attended to, even if makeshift arrangements are required.

His remarks come in the wake of the tragic death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, who reportedly died after being turned away from multiple hospitals due to a lack of beds — a development that has reignited national debate over the state of Ghana’s healthcare system.

The address was attended by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Chief Justice Justice Baffour-Bonnie, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, First Lady Lordina Mahama, members of the Council of State, heads of security agencies, the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

Adomonline’s photojournalist Joseph Odotei was present to capture these moments.

According to the Caucus, the President must provide a detailed account of the recent cocoa price reduction, a move they say has sparked serious concerns among farmers and industry stakeholders.

They are also seeking explanations regarding ongoing complaints about rapidly depleting prepaid electricity credit, which many consumers say is adding to their financial burden.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante, the Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, outlined the matters he believes the President must address.

On the general mood in the country, he said, “You can see there is a lot of despondency among the Ghanaian people. We’ve recently heard about the cocoa haircut, which has affected over a million of cocoa farmers in the country.”

He further explained the impact on farmers and their families:
“They are not only talking about just the million; they have a lot of dependents, those who are students in school, and all those things. These are very difficult moments for those Ghanaian farmers that are losing money as a result of the government’s decision to cut down the producer price.”

Touching on electricity tariff concerns, he stated:
“Recently, we also heard about people complaining about electricity. This was a decision that was taken by the government just to increase the electricity tariff by some 28%, and we are now feeling the impact of it. So, these are people who are complaining.”

On youth unemployment, he added:
“The youth who were promised employment are still saying that they have not gotten the job that this government promised them.”

He stressed that these are the key issues that must be addressed: “These are three key things. So, if the president is coming here tomorrow, he should be bringing solutions as to how these matters are going to be dealt with.”

He cautioned against relying solely on macroeconomic indicators: “It is not enough to say that inflation has come down; the cedi is strong. I mean, it is not enough. That is not enough. We are talking about bread-and-butter issues.”

He continued, “Bread issues are affecting the ordinary person, those who have that hope in this government and went to the queue to vote for that government. That is what we are looking at. So, if the government is not coming to give solutions to these issues, well, I don’t know what is coming.”

He was of the view that Ghanaians are not interested in peripheral matters:
“He can decide to be talking about plenty of things, but that is not what the Ghanaian populace is interested in.”

According to him, the President has an opportunity to respond directly to these concerns:
“We are interested in this matter that I put before you, and I believe tomorrow the President will have a fine opportunity to come and tell the Ghanaian people that this is how I intend to solve the electricity challenges that people are complaining.”

Drawing a comparison with past leadership, he observed:
“It happened in 2018 when Ghanaians were complaining about high tariffs on electricity. Akufo-Addo took a decision to reduce electricity tariffs by 14% for non-residential consumers, and that is what leadership is about.”

“I expect President Mahama and his government to also pull the same line and protect the ordinary person,” he emphasised.

Following the minority’s remarks, the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini (NDC), has defended President John Dramani Mahama, arguing that many of the issues currently facing the country were inherited from previous administrations.

“I’m happy they acknowledge that they have created problems that His Excellency President Mahama is creating solutions for. Because, clearly, when you talk about cocoa, I think that those who have followed the discussion are now fully aware that the problem was fully inherited by President Mahama, and the steps that he is taking are steps that will resolve the problems, not just for his regime, but for even governments that will come after him,” he said.

He also highlighted challenges in the electricity sector, which he says was left in disarray by the previous government: “When you talk about electricity, we know the debts that they left behind in that sector; the mismanagement of even ESLA, which was left for them to solve the problems in that sector itself, became a subject of mismanagement, and they know the mess that they created. I’m not surprised. They are hoping that solutions will be featured in President Mahama’s SONA.”

Mr Suhuyini said expectations for solutions are based on confidence in the President’s leadership:
“I think that it is based on their confidence in him and the confidence of the Ghanaian people in him to inherit problems and to fix them for the future. And I am also expecting solutions to the problems that they, in the NPP, created.”

He explained that Mahama returned to the presidency specifically to tackle these inherited challenges:
“That is the only reason why President Mahama decided to return to be president, so that he could resolve the challenges that they left behind.”

On macroeconomic issues, he added:
“They are not interested in macroeconomic figures because they know that he has already fixed that problem that they created, taking us to DDEP, the first time in the history of this country. We were unable to service our debt. Pensioners had to endure haircuts, and they know that President Mahama, within a year, has fixed that problem, and so that’s why they no longer want to listen to that.”

He concluded by praising the President’s approach:
“But President Mahama, being who he is, will give a correct account of the affairs of the state, and he will do so sincerely, and he will do so with the humility that he is noted for.”

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Kintampo, Joseph Kwame Kumah, called on the President to provide an honest and unflinching account of the nation’s state.

“The President’s State of the Nation Address, which is an annual requirement, has become a ritual. And what we expect the President, for instance, to tell Ghanaians is nothing but the truth. The real State of the Nation Address should tell Ghanaians what it will take them to accept whatever outcomes are ahead of us,” he said.

“Some of us will not like anything like flattering. Ghanaians are waiting for nothing but truism,” he added.

In response to criticisms from the NPP regarding cocoa, the economy, and other issues, he stated that the government has made measurable progress.

“Even this morning, I’m understanding inflation has further reduced to about 3.5%. What do they expect?” he said.

He highlighted improvements for ordinary traders:

“The common trader will tell you from Makola Market that she is able now to buy rice at low as even 25 cedis. 50 cedis per kilo, which was a total of 150 cedis.”

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“The District Assemblies Common Fund is not just another budget line,” he declared. “It is the constitutional heartbeat of decentralised development.”

He argued that replacing Parliament’s data-driven allocation formula with executive directives undermines the separation of powers and weakens democratic accountability.

“When Parliament’s authority over public finance is diluted, the impact is felt across every district,” he said.

The Minority Chief Whip emphasised that the Caucus does not oppose government development priorities but is challenging procedural illegality.

“We are not adversaries of development. We are custodians of constitutional governance,” he stated.

He concluded with a warning that silence in the face of executive overreach would betray the Constitution, district assemblies, and citizens awaiting stalled projects.

“When Parliament stands, democracy stands,” he said firmly. “And we intend to stand.”

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His remarks were made on the floor of Parliament in response to a statement by the Member of Parliament for Offinso North, Fred Kyei Asamoah, who spoke on the reported death of Charles Amissah — a hit-and-run victim who reportedly died after being turned away by three major hospitals.

In his contribution, Asamoah emphasised that no circumstance should justify the loss of life, citing a comment by former President Nana Akufo-Addo: “We know how to bring back the economy, but we don’t know how to bring back lives.”

However, Speaker Bagbin cautioned against partisan comparisons or attempts to revisit previous administrations in the debate, stressing that no government in Ghana’s history has managed a flawless emergency response system.

“Don’t go into those issues because there is no government that has come to govern this country and all ambulances are working and running at all times,” he said, adding, “Even during the reign of the person you quoted, it’s the same thing. And that quotation was wrong.”

He also highlighted the often-overlooked link between economic stability and public welfare.

“Please, when you lose an economy, you lose lives. You don’t know that? So when you say you are bringing back the economy, you know how to bring back economy, but you don’t know how to bring back lives,” he stated.

Speaker Bagbin warned that the human cost of economic downturns can be permanent. “The time you’ve lost the economy, you’ve lost so many lives that you can’t bring back.”

He concluded with an appeal for focus and responsibility, urging MPs to prioritise resolving the nation’s pressing challenges over political point-scoring.

“Please, let’s address the issue, what is confronting us now, and stop the politics,” he said.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on February 6, 2026, is said to have resulted in the victim’s death.

Addressing Parliament, the Effutu Member of Parliament insisted that the matter must not be swept under the carpet, stressing that any individual found culpable should face sanctions to serve as a deterrent.

According to him, the Health Committee must conduct a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish whether there was any breach of duty or professional negligence.

“Mr Speaker, with your directive, summon the Chief Executive Officers and the heads of the emergency units of the three hospitals involved. They must produce duty rosters and bed occupancy records for that night,” he urged.

He further called for a determination on whether the 2018 Ghana Health Service directive on emergency care was violated.

“They should conclusively establish whether the directive was breached and determine whether professional misconduct or negligence occurred. If misconduct is established, sanctions must follow; if negligence is proven, prosecution must follow,” he stated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also appealed to the Ghana Police Service to intensify efforts to track down the driver responsible for the hit-and-run incident.

“I call upon the Ghana Police Service to deploy every available resource, investigative technique and intelligence capability to identify and apprehend the suspect,” he added.

The bill, laid before Parliament by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, on Thursday, February 19, seeks to address what the government describes as public confusion between the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and the National Investment Bank, which share the same acronym.

Under the proposed law, the intelligence agency will revert to the name Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), distinct from its former historical title, Bureau of National Investigation.

The bill also proposes a major restructuring of national security governance by scrapping the Ministry for National Security, with oversight functions to be exercised through the Presidency.

Presenting the bill, Mr. Mohammed-Mubarak argued that the reforms are necessary to streamline coordination and avoid institutional conflicts.

“Unfortunately, we have a situation where you say NIB, people are wondering whether you are talking about the bank or the security agency. So one of the significant things we are trying to do is to reintroduce the name BNI… Bureau of National Intelligence,” he said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Ss_ZNTT1Hk?si=-12jpZMRYoBro-V8

He added that the new structure is intended to prevent conflict between a Minister for National Security and the National Security Coordinator, stressing that coordination should be firmly anchored under the President with ministerial oversight rather than a standalone ministry.

However, the proposals immediately drew strong opposition from the Minority, who described the bill as flawed, overly centralising power, and lacking safeguards.

Former Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, questioned the policy rationale behind the reforms, warning that the changes could create instability and weaken accountability.

“If in four years you are no more in power, are we expecting a new government to also bring a new Act to reflect their direction?” he asked.

“It will be dangerous for this nation to make that office and agency so powerful without proper accountability. It’s a misplaced priority, and if you do that, you’ll suffer.”

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin also rejected the bill, arguing that it is politically motivated rather than driven by evidence-based governance.

“The memorandum before us does not provide any empirical evidence to suggest that Act 1030 has failed,” he said.

“So much power is being given to the coordinator, and it is not clear how his powers are going to be fettered.

“Without clear responsibility, accountability and oversight, this becomes problematic. When citizens’ rights are abused, it will be justified in the name of national security.”

He called for further consultations and amendments to incorporate concerns raised by the Minority.

Responding to the criticism, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, defended the bill, describing it as a correction of what he termed a “historical wrong” created by the previous administration.

“We decided to cut down the number of ministers, and among the ministries we guillotined was the Ministry for National Security,” he said.

“What you [NPP] did was to force the hand of a President to appoint a Minister for National Security. It was a wrong thing for us to have done as a Parliament, and this historical wrong has to be corrected.”

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Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the situation has become urgent, as government has yet to fully settle payments owed to farmers for produce supplied during the 2024/2025 planting season.

“This is a House of Parliament, a platform of the people’s representatives. This is where we discuss national issues. The cocoa farmers in Volta, Ashanti, Bono, and Western North regions have been denied their dues,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

“If the Majority Leader will not bring the Finance Minister, we, the Minority, will use the appropriate laws available to us to summon the Finance Minister.”

He stressed that the issue transcends partisan lines, describing it as a national economic concern that directly affects the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers.

Delays in payments have reportedly sparked frustration among farmers, who rely on timely compensation to prepare for the next planting season. Payments are crucial for land preparation, purchasing inputs, servicing loans, and supporting household needs.

Any disruption in the payment cycle can ripple across rural economies, affecting local businesses, transport operators, and agricultural supply chains.

The Minority is demanding that the Finance Minister personally brief Parliament on the causes of the delays, outline funding gaps within the cocoa sector, and explain measures being taken to stabilise the industry.

Afenyo-Markin’s threat comes amid growing calls from cocoa-growing communities for the government to expedite payments and ensure that farmers receive their rightful dues on time.

Speaking on JoyNews AM on 16 February, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that Ghana is unique in Africa for having a Speaker who is not an MP.

“Ghana’s Parliament, in Africa, I think, is the only one whose Speaker is not a member of Parliament. A few things ought to be set right,” he said.

He warned that a Speaker who is not part of Parliament risks being detached from legislative duties and may pursue personal interests rather than focus on parliamentary development.

“Oftentimes, it may be self-serving, and it may not really contribute to developing Parliament. And I think it’s not the best for us,” he added.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged that the arrangement was inherited at independence but said the time has come for serious introspection.

“I don’t know from where we inherited this. At the time of independence, it was bequeathed to us. But now the time has arrived to reconsider it,” he said.

He further revealed that he had discussed the matter with the Constitutional Review Committee, urging them to amend the law.

“I spoke to the Constitutional Review Committee on this, urging that they should change it. I think the time has arrived. Let’s make that bold decision,” he said.

The incident occurred after the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, delivered a statement to commemorate the annual celebration, which promotes the consumption of locally produced chocolate and highlights the importance of cocoa to Ghana’s economy.

Following her remarks, chocolate was shared among Members of Parliament as part of the traditional observance. However, members of the Minority declined to accept it, with the Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafu-Adjei, explaining that their action was intended to draw attention to the plight of cocoa farmers.

According to him, it would be inappropriate to celebrate chocolate while many farmers continue to face challenges, including concerns over producer prices and delayed payments.

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, criticised the Minority’s action, arguing that rejecting chocolate on Chocolate Day sends the wrong signal and could undermine efforts to promote the cocoa industry.

He emphasised that the celebration is meant to encourage the patronage of Ghanaian chocolate and support the livelihoods of farmers, rather than diminish their contribution.

The exchange comes amid heightened political debate over the cocoa sector. In recent weeks, the government announced a revised producer price following a review by the Producer Price Review Committee, citing declining global cocoa prices and broader financial pressures facing the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

The Minority has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s handling of the sector, while the Majority insists that ongoing reforms are necessary to stabilise the industry and protect its long-term sustainability.

National Chocolate Day, observed annually on February 14, was introduced to promote local consumption of cocoa products and celebrate Ghana’s status as one of the world’s leading cocoa producers.

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Speaking at the launch of Parliament’s Corporate Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 on Thursday, February 12, Mr Bagbin expressed concern that Parliament continues to operate as a tenant within the State House, describing the situation as restrictive and inappropriate for an independent arm of government.

“We have been crying, and I hope you will support us so that at least we should be liberated from being tenants of the State House to our own premises as an arm of government,” he said, highlighting infrastructural constraints that affect parliamentary efficiency.

“There are a lot of limitations, infrastructural limitations. It has not been easy, even when we are about to make a decision, especially when there is no consensus. You have to rely on the human resources,” he added.

Mr Bagbin disclosed that Parliament is piloting an electronic voting system to streamline decision-making in the House. “Now we are trying to put in place where we can have e-voting in Parliament, so we are starting with the pilot, and we believe that it will ease all the struggles when it comes to decision-making in the House,” he said.

While acknowledging efforts to upgrade existing facilities, the Speaker maintained that the current infrastructure remains inadequate. “We have also done a lot in trying to modernise, and improve the small facilities that we have. But we plead with the Executive to release the parcel of land around here for us to develop. We need to have a permanent seat for the pillar of democracy to be housed, a Parliament House,” he stated.

He further revealed that Parliament does not have unrestricted access to some facilities within the State House complex unless payments are made. “Some of the structures we have here, we cannot even have access to them unless we pay, including the banquet hall,” he noted.

Mr Bagbin stressed that establishing a permanent Parliamentary complex would enhance the independence and operational efficiency of the Legislature as a central pillar of Ghana’s democracy.

In 2019, the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) government proposed the construction of a new Parliamentary chamber. The proposal, however, faced strong opposition from the Minority in Parliament and civil society organisations, culminating in the widely publicised #DropTheChamber protest.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, February 13, Dr. Amin Adam expressed surprise at Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s announcement of cocoa sector reforms, arguing that the measures risk short-changing producers.

“We were told that the Minister for Finance was coming to announce what they call a restructuring of the cocoa sector. We are very surprised that the minister rather used the opportunity to shortchange cocoa farmers,” he said.

He stressed that his NPP administration had already developed a comprehensive COCOBOD turnaround strategy in consultation with the IMF, designed to restructure the sector and ensure its sustainability.

“Before we left government, we introduced a turnaround strategy for COCOBOD and we worked on this with the IMF. This strategy was intended to comprehensively restructure COCOBOD,” he stated. “What is happening today in the cocoa sector is not surprising to us because this government has failed to implement the COCOBOD turnaround strategy. That is why COCOBOD is facing these challenges.”

Dr. Amin Adam further criticised the government for reducing producer prices instead of providing financial support to COCOBOD.

“Given the scale of the crisis in the sector now, one expected the government to give COCOBOD a bailout as we did during the MPP time rather than reducing the producer price for cocoa. A bailout would have been necessary,” he said. He added: “An economy that is better managed cannot pay cocoa farmers? An economy that is better managed reduces the producer price of cocoa?”

He also attributed Ghana’s weakening cocoa competitiveness to the “reckless overvaluation” of the cedi, which he said made Ghanaian cocoa more expensive on the international market.

“Ghana’s cocoa is now considered more expensive… consumers are turning away from Ghana’s cocoa,” he explained.

“When your inflation is 3.8 per cent, your currency should depreciate by at least 3.8 per cent in order to protect exports. What do we see? They are going around bragging about appreciation. That is poor economics.”

He concluded by warning that the current crisis exposed “how this government is recklessly managing the cocoa sector, which has brought us to this unprecedented crisis.”

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In a ruling on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Speaker Bagbin directed that the bill be reintroduced to Parliament so that the House can expedite its consideration and subsequent passage.

The ruling comes in light of provisions stating that bills expire at the end of a parliamentary term.

The current House, led by Mahama Ayariga, has maintained that the bill had already been passed, but former President Nana Akufo-Addo refused to sign it, raising constitutional questions.

The bill, introduced as a Private Member’s Bill, includes a caveat that it should not place a financial burden on the Consolidated Fund.

The previous government had argued that the bill could create financial obligations for the state. However, Speaker Bagbin, following a legal opinion presented to him, concluded that the bill does not impose any charge on state funds.

Based on this ruling, the Speaker of the 9th Parliament has directed that the bill be rescheduled for consideration, overriding the position of the Leader of Government Business.

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In a statement dated February 8, 2026, and signed by Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, the caucus said it had taken note of widely circulated reports of vote buying during the just-ended internal contest.

The caucus strongly condemned the alleged acts, describing them as inconsistent with the party’s agenda to reset Ghana’s politics and uphold high ethical standards. It said the decision followed extensive consultations among its core and extended leadership.

According to the statement, the allegations pose a serious threat to the credibility of the NDC’s internal democratic processes and risk undermining public confidence in the party. Consequently, the caucus urged the party’s Functional Executive Committee to annul the Ayawaso East primaries and organise a fresh election.

The Majority Caucus further recommended strict sanctions against any candidate found culpable. It proposed that individuals established to have engaged in unethical conduct should be barred from participating in any rerun of the primaries.

The call follows controversy surrounding the election after reports emerged that Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed allegedly distributed items, including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs, to delegates during the voting process. Some party insiders and delegates claim the items were perceived as inducements that may have influenced voting patterns.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has announced investigations into alleged vote buying involving both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In response to the controversy, the NDC leadership has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the Ayawaso East primaries and recommend measures to curb inducement in future internal elections. The committee is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.

The bill, which was laid before the House in late 2025, was approved after several days of debate, with contributions from both the Majority and Minority caucuses.

The legislation seeks to transform Ghana’s economy into a round-the-clock system through the establishment of a 24-Hour Economy Authority, which will serve as the central coordinating body for the nationwide rollout of the policy.

Under the law, the Authority will be responsible for coordinating public and private sector initiatives, attracting investment, and ensuring that the required regulatory and infrastructure frameworks are in place to support continuous economic activity.

The 24-hour economy policy was a major campaign promise of the National Democratic Congress during the 2024 general elections and is expected to boost productivity, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth.

During parliamentary debates, Minority Members raised concerns about potential security risks and public inconvenience if the economy operates around the clock without adequate safeguards.

However, the Majority caucus maintained that the benefits of the policy outweigh the concerns and assured the House that appropriate security, regulatory, and operational measures would be put in place to ensure its successful implementation.

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The symbolic show of cultural pride follows social media commentary in Zambia after President Mahama appeared in a dark-coloured fugu during a three-day state visit in the country.

What began as online mockery and misunderstanding of the attire quickly evolved into a spirited cultural exchange, with Ghanaians rallying to defend not just the President, but the cultural identity the smock represents.

That celebration made its way into Parliament, where MPs, particularly on the Majority side, arrived dressed in vibrant smocks, making a bold cultural statement.

While many of the MPs in smocks were men, the moment drew even more admiration when the NDC MP for Salaga South, Zuwera Ibrahima Mohammed, entered the chamber fully dressed in a smock, earning smiles, nods, and applause from colleagues.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante, MP for Afadjato South, Frank Afriyie, said the backlash against the President’s attire was rooted in ignorance.

“Every cultural setting has its unique way of dressing. Indians, East Asians, Africans, we must be defined by our unique identity,” he said.

MP for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman, described the moment as an opportunity rather than an insult.

“You just have to pardon ignorance and show them what it is… It’s a matter of branding,” he noted, adding that the situation could even open markets for Ghanaian smock weavers abroad.

For MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, the gesture was one of solidarity with the President.

“I’m inspired by His Excellency’s dressing in Zambia… Today I decided to join the President in solidarity to proudly wear my fugu to show the world how beautiful fugu can be,” he said.

Salaga South MP, Zuwera Ibrahima Mohammed, also used the moment to advocate for cultural self-promotion.

“No one can sell you better than yourself… The smock comes in very beautiful colours and motifs, and people should feel happy to wear it,” she said, urging Ghanaians to seize the moment to promote local culture globally.

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The bill, presented by the Attorney-General, seeks to operationalise the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) flagship 24-hour economy programme, a major campaign promise during the 2024 general elections.

However, during debate on the floor of Parliament ahead of the bill’s passage, the Minority Spokesperson on the Economy, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, argued that the proposed Secretariat would only create an additional layer of administration without translating into real economic transformation.

“This bill establishes a bureaucracy, not a 24-hour economy, through an unnecessary authority that will not achieve its stated purpose,” he said.

Oppong Nkrumah insisted that a dedicated authority is not required to implement a functioning 24-hour economy, citing global examples of major cities that operate round-the-clock without such structures.

“Six of the biggest cities that operate 24-hour economies—New York, Tokyo, London, Bangkok, Dubai, Berlin—none of them started off with a 24-hour economy authority,” he noted.

He warned that the bill would instead create an expensive administrative body with executives, auditors, staff, and a board that would require significant public funding.

“What this law actually does is that it sets up a bureaucracy… an authority with a chief executive, an internal auditor, hundreds of staff, a board. They’re going to ask for a budget and spend,” he argued.

Oppong Nkrumah further cautioned that the bill could mislead young Ghanaians into believing it would directly generate jobs and economic activity, when in his view, it merely creates another government institution.

However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga pushed back against the Minority’s claims, explaining that the Secretariat is intended to serve as a coordinating body to ensure effective implementation of the programme.

“The 24-hour economy, and the authority that is being established to implement it, is not the vehicle that will create a 24-hour economy.

“It is a coordinating secretariat, a coordinating secretariat, that will coordinate the activities of all the other sectors who, when they function and function properly, will deliver a very productive sector and will deliver employment. That is the whole idea,” he explained.

Speaking during parliamentary consideration of the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on Thursday, February 5, Mr. Jinapor said the proposed three-shift, eight-hour work system has largely remained on paper and has yet to create real jobs for the many young people expecting opportunities.

“Eleven months into the NDC administration, their flagship programme of a 24-hour economy, with the three-shift system for unemployed Ghanaian youth, the only place working some form of shifts today is the Office of the Speaker of Parliament, and even that is not a full 24-hour operation,” he stated.

The Damongo legislator also questioned the need to establish a new authority to oversee the policy, insisting that Ghana already has institutions capable of driving the agenda without adding another layer of bureaucracy.

He pointed to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) as an example, saying its existing mandate aligns directly with export-led growth under a 24-hour economic framework.

“You do not need another authority to promote exports and thereby create a 24-hour economy. We already have the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, whose sole mandate is to promote exports,” he argued.

Mr. Jinapor further criticised the bill as one that could end up benefiting only a small group of political appointees rather than addressing the wider unemployment challenges facing the country’s youth.

“This is another gimmick. It is meant to buy time and give false hope to unemployed youth. This authority will only create jobs for a few — another CEO, deputy CEOs and managers — while the suffering youth from Bolgatanga to Keta, Bosome Freho, and across the length and breadth of the country remain without jobs,” he said.

He concluded by warning that public patience is wearing thin over repeated pledges without tangible results.

“Ghanaians are tired of hope; they want action. Nearly a year on, instead of implementing the 24-hour economy, the government is asking us to create another layer of bureaucracy,” Mr. Jinapor added.

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Addressing Members of Parliament, Speaker Bagbin said the anniversary will provide an opportunity to review lessons learned over the past year and to refocus on Parliament’s constitutional mandate of serving the people of Ghana.

“This occasion should inspire a renewed sense of responsibility and commitment among all lawmakers,” he emphasized.

Despite challenges, the Speaker noted that the first session of the Ninth Parliament has made steady progress in advancing its legislative and oversight functions. He commended Members for their cooperation and dedication, stressing that the institution’s achievements are the result of collective effort.

“Parliament does not function in isolation,” he observed, acknowledging the crucial roles of parliamentary leadership, committees, staff of the Parliamentary Service, and civil society partners in supporting its work. “Collaboration has been key to strengthening democratic accountability and improving parliamentary performance,” he added.

The Speaker’s announcement was met with goodwill messages from both sides of the House. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin each welcomed the initiative, supporting the use of the anniversary as a platform to deepen unity and effectiveness in Parliament.

The commemoration is expected to highlight the institution’s achievements, review challenges, and outline priorities to further enhance legislative work and public confidence in Parliament.

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He said accountability would remain central to the House’s work, as Ghanaians demand value for money and responsible governance.

Mr. Ayariga revealed that the Public Accounts Committee has been actively examining the management of petroleum revenues and the public accounts of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for 2024.

“This is the essential work of safeguarding the public purse,” he said. “Every pesewa must be accounted for.”

He noted that ministers, heads of state institutions, and key public officials, including the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, would appear before parliamentary committees to answer questions on stalled projects, state-owned enterprises, and alleged financial mismanagement.

“We will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” the Majority Leader stressed.

Beyond oversight, Mr. Ayariga said Parliament would also pursue major governance and justice reforms, including the Conduct of Public Officers Bill and amendments to strengthen the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

He described these measures as critical to rebuilding public trust in state institutions.

“This House is not just a law-making chamber; it is a house of accountability,” Mr. Ayariga declared. “The hope Ghanaians feel must not be stolen by waste or mismanagement.”

He urged Members of both the Majority and Minority to rise above partisanship and deliver results that improve the daily lives of citizens.

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“For me, it is the injustice done to Nsala Wakpal,” the South Dayi MP, said on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday.

Mr Dafeamekpor insisted the NDC has not truly lost the case. He argued the Supreme Court’s decision was influenced by facts that were deliberately concealed.

“In fact, we haven’t lost well in the Kpandai case as the Supreme Court has been misled, because these material facts were all hidden from the Court,” he said.

He accused the NPP’s legal team of intentionally creating inconsistencies around key dates in the Electoral Commission’s gazette notification to strengthen their argument that the NDC went to court too early.

“The NPP lawyer stood in court, and when Justice Pwamang queried about the date inconsistency, they said it was a genuine mistake,” he said.

“But I have established over time that there was nothing genuine about this. It was deliberate.”

He explained that the alleged manipulation was intended to align the record with the NPP’s argument that the gazette notification was dated December 24, and that the NDC’s legal action was therefore premature.

“They had to do it to align with the NPP case, that the gazette notification was 24th December and, therefore, we went to court prematurely,” he said.

Dafeamekpor said the NDC filed the case based on an earlier official communication.

“Meanwhile, we went to court on the date Jean Mensa wrote to Parliament, 23rd December,” he said.

He argued the gazette situation at the time was already confused because of inconsistencies in the numbering of parliamentary seats.

“The gazette notifications were in a confused state, because the seat numbers had exceeded those constitutionally mandated,” he said.

“If you are gazetted 274 and you are gazetted another additional four, you have 278 seats. Where is the overlapping team coming from?” he asked.

He claimed steps were later taken to correct the gazette. “So they took steps to clean it up on the sixth of January,” he said.

But he accused the Electoral Commission’s representatives of later denying that January 6 publication and describing it as an error.

“Now he comes to court and denies the 6th January Gazette publication as an error and calls it a genuine mistake,” he said.

Mr Dafeamekpor rejected the suggestion that the inconsistencies were innocent.

“How can that be a genuine error?” he asked. He argued that the number of parliamentary seats is fixed and cannot be casually misstated.

“You can’t get numbers wrong, because the number of parliamentary seats is fixed,” he said. “There’s no fraction of seats in Parliament. It is either 276 or not.”

He said the EC had already communicated specific figures to Parliament, making the later contradictions harder to justify.

“When were you not allowing your head of institution to continue to communicate with Parliament?” he asked.

He insisted the conduct in the case raises serious concerns that must be investigated.

“There’s an original letter before Parliament that the gazette notifications were on the 23rd,” he said. “So you want the EC investigated. The EC has to be investigated.”

He said Parliament, the courts, and other investigative bodies can take up the matter. “Parliament can do that. CID can do that. Any investigating body can do that,” he said.

He revealed he intends to raise the issue formally in Parliament, but said the review process comes first.

“Because we are going for a review, I want us to settle the matter on review,” he said.

Mr Dafeamekpor also argued that the confusion over gazette dates extends beyond politics, as it affects a candidate’s legal right to challenge election outcomes.

“If they toy with the dates, they dance with it. If they collude with somebody to confuse you with the dates, your right to go to court will be affected,” he said.

“That’s exactly what is at play in this matter,” he added. He said this forms the basis of the review application.

“So, this is the basis for your review. This is the basis for our review,” he said.

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Speaking at the resumption of sittings on Tuesday, he said Parliament had demonstrated its independence through rigorous scrutiny and oversight, even during periods of economic crisis.

According to Mr Ayariga, the difficult fiscal decisions taken over the past year were the result of deliberate parliamentary engagement rather than executive imposition.

He noted that legislators weighed economic necessity against social responsibility, ensuring that policies adopted did not undermine democratic accountability.

“Parliament is not an appendage of the Executive,” the Majority Leader declared. “We are an independent arm of government, entrusted by the people of Ghana to approve, amend, reject, and hold to account. That is exactly what this House has done.”

He added that Parliament’s approvals and oversight had contributed significantly to restoring confidence in Ghana’s economy, citing improvements in inflation, debt sustainability, and exchange rate stability.

He said such outcomes underscored the relevance of a strong legislature in democratic governance.

Mr Ayariga urged Members to continue exercising their mandate without fear or favour.

“Our loyalty must always be to the Constitution and the people of Ghana,” he said, adding that a credible Parliament was essential to sustaining the country’s democratic gains.

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The directive, issued on Tuesday, follows a strong stance taken by the Minority Caucus, which has pledged to deploy every parliamentary mechanism available to contest what it describes as the government’s unfair action.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in a letter dated February 11, 2025, ordered the withdrawal of appointments for public sector employees engaged after the December 7, 2024, general elections.

The directive led to significant uncertainty among affected workers and was met with mixed reactions.

Critics described it as politically motivated and an attack on the livelihoods of citizens employed through legitimate processes.

The government, however, maintained that the appointments were irregular and made in bad faith during the transition period.

By asking that the motion be scheduled, the Speaker has effectively triggered the early stages of parliamentary scrutiny. Once listed, the House would be positioned to begin a structured inquiry into the matter.

However, progress has stalled after the Majority Caucus raised a procedural objection to the motion.

Their resistance is based on the sub judice rule, a parliamentary convention that prevents lawmakers from debating issues already before the courts in order to avoid influencing ongoing judicial proceedings.

The standoff sets the stage for a tense confrontation in Parliament as both sides weigh legal limits against the demand for political accountability.

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Speaking at a leadership media briefing ahead of Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the need for inclusiveness in parliamentary business.

“We hold the view that in this meeting, the Majority should be more accommodating; they must hear us. They must allow the Minority to do more advocacy. We expect the Speaker to admit more and more of our motions,” he said.

The Minority Leader noted that the previous parliamentary session was marked by frustration, with several motions submitted by the Minority being declined, limiting their participation in legislative processes.

Afenyo-Markin expressed hope that the new session would enable greater engagement, stressing that a robust parliamentary democracy depends on all stakeholders being given a fair chance to contribute.

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Ahead of the reopening, the Majority Leader, who also doubles as Leader of Government Business, has been holding meetings with Ministers of State to review outstanding matters and fine-tune the government’s legislative agenda for the months ahead.

The upcoming session is expected to be a busy one, with several bills, policy statements and questions to sector ministers scheduled for consideration when the House resumes sitting.

Among the key issues likely to dominate proceedings are matters related to illegal mining activities and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as the Anti-LGBT Bill, which is expected to trigger renewed and intense debate on the floor of Parliament.

Parliamentary sources say the session will focus on advancing critical reforms while strengthening oversight on pressing national issues as Members return to full legislative business.

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The engagement forms part of a long-standing parliamentary practice aimed at aligning the government’s legislative priorities with the House’s agenda.

At the start of every parliamentary session, the Majority Leader convenes discussions with ministers to review proposed bills and legislative initiatives expected to be laid before Parliament.

The process is intended to ensure effective planning, smooth scheduling, and timely consideration of government business.

Speaking on the engagement, Mr Ayariga explained that the meeting focused on examining the legislative proposals ministers intend to present during the current session, assessing their readiness, and identifying priorities for debate and passage.

He noted that such early consultations are crucial to maintaining order in the House and ensuring that Parliament is adequately prepared to handle the government’s legislative workload for the session.

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The call follows the apex court’s decision to overturn an earlier judgment by the Tamale High Court, which had nullified the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency and ordered a rerun.

In a statement welcoming the ruling, the Minority said all records within Parliament and the Electoral Commission must be corrected to reflect the legal position that Mr Nyindam remains the legitimately elected Member of Parliament for Kpandai.

On Wednesday, January 28, the Supreme Court, in a 4–1 majority decision, quashed the High Court’s ruling on the grounds that the election petition was filed outside the timelines prescribed by law. The court held that the delay deprived the High Court of the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

According to the Minority, the judgment reinforces constitutional authority, respect for due process, and the principle that election outcomes should not be unsettled outside clearly defined legal procedures.

“The effect of this ruling is that there will be no rerun in Kpandai and that Hon. Matthew Nyindam remains, in law and in fact, the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Kpandai constituency,” the caucus stated.

The Minority warned that no institution has the power to alter electoral outcomes after results have been validly declared and gazetted, stressing that any action founded on a petition filed beyond the statutory period is legally ineffective.

Beyond withdrawing vacancy notices, the caucus urged Parliament, under the leadership of Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin, to review its internal processes to prevent future instances where seats are declared vacant while court proceedings, including appeals or applications for stay, are still pending.

They also appealed to both sides of the House to uphold parliamentary conventions by respecting the hierarchy of courts and awaiting final judicial determinations before taking actions that could affect representation.

To support their position, the Minority cited past cases such as Abodakpi, Sakande, Nyimakan and Quayson, where Parliament exercised restraint until all legal processes were exhausted.

The caucus described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a significant affirmation of democratic choice, saying it restores the clear mandate given by the people of Kpandai at the polls.

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Read the full statement below

He said he is now financially drained and survived the period only through divine intervention and the support of others.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court restored his mandate, Mr Nyindam said he could not even estimate the cost of the legal fight, describing the entire process as exhausting and destabilising.

“In fact, I cannot put a price on it. I am broke because winning an election in Ghana is not a small battle. I won this election with every resource I had. I have never had peace. They dragged me to court, and today the Supreme Court has saved me,” he stated.

Recounting the period between November 24, when his seat came under legal challenge, and December 30, when a rerun election had been scheduled, Mr Nyindam said the pressure on him and his constituency was immense.

“Between the 24th of November, when my seat was under siege, and the election that was fixed for December 30, it took only God and the help of people to be able to sustain the constituency,” he said.

“Matthew cannot fight the forces of government. You saw the whole government machinery in Kpandai, campaigning and moving from place to place,” he added.

Despite the ordeal, Mr Nyindam expressed gratitude to God and to individuals who supported him throughout the legal battle, saying their help was crucial to his survival—politically and financially.

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According to him, applications for review at the Supreme Court face an extremely strict test, making it difficult for any party to convince the apex court to reopen its own judgment.

“There is no way the court will even give you the opportunity. And I am not sure they will be able to meet this high threshold. It is important when you are before the Supreme Court, and they have set the rules very clearly in a lot of decision before the Supreme Court. To get the Supreme Court to even admit that it will review its own decision, it is a high threshold, and I don’t think that they can meet that threshold,” he said.

Mr Darko urged the NDC to respect the outcome of the case instead of pursuing further litigation.

His comments come on the back of remarks by the NDC’s Majority Chief Whip, Nelson Rockson Dafeamekpor, who earlier hinted that the party was considering a review of the ruling.

On Wednesday, January 28, the Supreme Court, in a 4–1 majority decision, set aside the Tamale High Court judgment that annulled the Kpandai parliamentary election won by the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Matthew Nyindam.

Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, who sat on the panel, dissented from the majority view.

The ruling followed an application by Mr Nyindam invoking the Supreme Court’s supervisory jurisdiction, arguing that the High Court acted outside its authority when it nullified the election.

The court upheld the application and restored Mr Nyindam as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the Kpandai Constituency.

At the heart of the case was the date the Electoral Commission (EC) officially gazetted the 2024 parliamentary results for Kpandai.

Under Ghana’s electoral laws, an election petition must be filed within 21 days after gazette notification. Any petition brought outside that window deprives the court of jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Mr Nyindam argued that the EC gazetted the results on December 24, 2024, meaning any petition filed beyond the 21-day period was legally incompetent, a position the Supreme Court ultimately upheld.

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Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Dafeamekpor questioned the constitutional basis of the Minority Leader’s position, insisting that no provision of the Constitution grants him authority to prevent the introduction of urgent bills.

“What is the Minority Leader saying? Which part of the Constitution gives him such powers that he can stop the government from introducing a deal in pursuance of Articles 106 and 108 under a state of urgency?” he asked.

His comments come after the Minority in Parliament warned that it would no longer allow bills and agreements to be rushed through the House under certificates of urgency without proper scrutiny.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Minority would resist what he described as the abuse of parliamentary procedure when Parliament reconvenes on February 3.

“We promise the people of Ghana that when Parliament reconvenes, we are not going to allow the Majority to have it their way,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said, accusing the Majority of turning Parliament into a “fast-track” and “rubber-stamp” institution.

He cited laws such as the GoldBod Act and energy sector levies as examples of legislation passed under rushed procedures and warned that the Minority would oppose any further attempts to bypass detailed debate.

The Majority Chief Whip argued that Mr Afenyo-Markin’s posture was inconsistent with his own record when he previously served as Majority Leader.

“When he was Majority Leader, how many bills did he introduce under certificates of urgency, and who questioned him?” Mr Dafeamekpor said, adding that he was prepared to provide figures to show the number of bills and agreements fast-tracked under Mr Afenyo-Markin’s leadership, as well as those passed under former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

The Majority Chief Whip accused the Minority Leader of misleading the public and politicising parliamentary procedure.

Mr Dafeamekpor further rejected the Minority Leader’s claim that the lithium agreement was rushed through Parliament, insisting that the agreement did not even amount to a bill.

“The lithium agreement is not a bill. It is an agreement between government and an investor which, by law, must be brought to Parliament for ratification,” he explained. “In the course of the ratification, concerns were raised and government withdrew it so that those concerns could be factored into the agreement before it is brought back.”

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Addressing journalists on Monday, January 26, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Minority is ready to challenge what it considers the abuse of parliamentary procedures when the House reconvenes on February 3.

“Let me draw attention to a disturbing matter on the floor of this House. We promise the people of Ghana that when Parliament reconvenes on the 3rd of February, we are not going to allow the Majority to have it their way,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the Majority of undermining Parliament’s oversight role by fast-tracking legislation with limited debate.

“The Majority has turned Parliament into a fast-track House with no scrutiny — a rubber-stamp Parliament where everything comes under a certificate of urgency,” he stated.

According to him, the Minority will resist any further attempts to bypass detailed deliberation.

“They should be ready to beat us in the Chamber. We will resist with all the energy in us. No more certificates of urgency,” he warned.

He cited several laws he believes were rushed through Parliament, including the GoldBod law and various energy-related levies.

“They had their way in the passage of the GoldBod law. The Energy Sector Recovery Levy, the dumsor levy and many other laws all came under certificates of urgency and were passed without scrutiny,” he said.

The Minority Leader further argued that while the Majority relies on its numerical strength, the Minority brings depth, research and substance to parliamentary debate.

“They only talk numbers, but when it comes to quality debate, we do proper research and argue on facts supported by data. What they come into the Chamber to do is propaganda,” he asserted.

Looking ahead, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority would intensify its oversight role, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 fiscal year, which he described as sensitive.

“Come 2026, they will never have their way. We will hold their feet to the fire and ensure that each minister accounts for his stewardship. We know the 2026 budget is a ‘chop-chop’ budget, and we are going to scrutinise every contract and every document submitted to the Public Procurement Authority. The Minority will follow them and bring motions,” he said.

He also appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to protect the rights of both sides of the House, expressing concern over the handling of Minority motions and parliamentary questions.

“We humbly pray that the Speaker prioritises substance over form. That is the rule of equity. He should uphold the prudence of our procedures and allow debate to flow. We will not sit idly by and allow the Majority to use its numbers to deny us our duty of ensuring proper oversight,” Mr Afenyo-Markin added.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the former Information Minister said the NDC has sent mixed and misleading signals to the public and religious leaders about its position on the controversial bill.

“At first, when you ask the NDC, they will tell you the LGBTQ+ bill has been passed into law but awaits presidential assent. Now, when they come to Parliament, they will tell us we need to pass the bill into law because that hasn’t been done,” he stated.

He argued that the party’s actions in Parliament reveal a lack of seriousness about seeing the bill through.

“When Ntim Fordjour and the leaders put it on the order paper, they remove it because they don’t want it passed. They only politicised the issue. They are not committed to the LGBTQ+ passage,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah added.

According to him, the NDC created a false impression among the public and faith-based groups during the period when the bill generated national debate.

“They deceived all the clergymen and Ghanaians. They created the impression that the NPP was in support and they were anti-LGBTQ+,” he said.

The MP noted that the party’s posture has shifted since assuming power, pointing out that the bill continues to be dropped from parliamentary business even when efforts are made to reintroduce it.

“Now that they have been given power, one year down the line, they remove it from the order paper even when you include it,” he added.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah also challenged religious leaders who previously protested over the bill to speak up again if they remain consistent in their advocacy.

“So I would expect that the clergy and religious leaders who were vocal and embarked on demonstrations over the anti-LGBTQ+ bill must rise up again. They must express disappointment in the NDC government and call for the passage,” he said.

He warned that silence from such groups would raise questions about their sincerity.

“Else Ghanaians will know that they are hypocrites,” the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP concluded.

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In a Constitutional Instrument issued on Monday, January 19, 2026, Mr. Bagbin designated Parliament House in Accra as the venue, with proceedings scheduled to commence at 12 noon.

The notice, signed by the Speaker, was issued under the authority of Article 112(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which empowers him to summon Parliament following a recess.

The instrument serves as formal notification to Members of Parliament, institutions, and the general public that legislative work for the second session will resume on the stated date, allowing debates, committee activities, and other parliamentary business to continue.

Read the full statement below:

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said the development threatens household incomes as well as national revenue streams.

“The United States accounts for the single largest share of remittances to Ghana,” he stated. “Between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion annually comes from hardworking Ghanaians abroad. A freeze like this is not symbolic; it directly chokes an economic lifeline.”

He explained that the impact extends beyond diplomatic or policy concerns and cuts into the daily lives of families across the country.

“These are ordinary families who depend on these transfers to pay school fees, medical bills, and start small businesses. For them, this is more than a visa issue; it is a question of survival,” he said.

Mr. Ayeh criticised what he described as the handling of the matter by Ghana’s diplomatic leadership, arguing that the situation could have been managed more tactfully.

“Instead of quietly resolving technical issues with the U.S. Embassy, we witnessed public posturing, tit-for-tat gestures, and inflammatory statements. This is amateur diplomacy at the expense of ordinary citizens,” he added.

According to the Minority, urgent diplomatic engagement with Washington is now required to prevent further economic fallout.

“President Mahama must deploy a special envoy and establish a task force to ensure these remittances and the welfare of our citizens are safeguarded. Delay is no longer an option,” he stressed.

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The tribute was read on the floor of the House on Thursday morning by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, following the sudden passing of the four-term MP on January 4, 2026.

Parliament recalled that Mr Naser Toure Mahama first entered the House in January 2013 on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and won the Ayawaso East seat in four consecutive elections in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024.

He served three full terms and had just begun his fourth term on January 7, 2025, before his untimely death.

The House noted his active role in several parliamentary committees, particularly the Committees on Energy, Roads and Transportation, Mines and Energy, and Private Members’ Bills and Motions. As Vice Chairperson of the Mines and Energy Committee, his expertise in the oil and energy sector was said to have contributed significantly to petroleum regulation and value-for-money discussions.

Hon. Naser was also remembered for consistently using parliamentary questions to advocate for infrastructure, drainage and health projects in Ayawaso East, including calls for flood prevention works and the upgrade of the Nima Government Clinic to a district hospital.

Parliament described him as soft-spoken, punctual and supportive, noting his strong commitment to youth empowerment, Zongo communities and other marginalised groups. He was also praised for his contributions to the Muslim Caucus of Parliament, where he was regarded as a voice of moderation and wisdom.

Extending condolences to his family, constituents and the nation, Parliament said Ghana had lost a rising star whose legacy of quiet leadership and service would endure. Members prayed for Allah to grant the late MP eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

According to the Majority, the amount cited by the Minority should not be described as a loss, particularly in the absence of audited financial statements from GoldBod.

The Caucus explained that both the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod are statutorily required to present full accounts to Parliament between January and March 2026, at which point a clearer financial picture will emerge.

Speaking on the matter, the Chairman of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Eric Afful, criticised the Minority for what he described as a premature and misleading interpretation of figures that are yet to be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.

He argued that it was inappropriate to label transactional costs as losses before the end of the financial year and before GoldBod renders its accounts.

“The $214 million being quoted is not a loss. It is a transactional cost, and without the financials of GoldBod, no such conclusion can be drawn,” he stated. Mr Afful added that while losses are difficult to reverse, costs can be managed and accounted for, urging patience until the official reporting process is completed.

The Amenfi West MP further accused the Minority of engaging in propaganda aimed at undermining Ghana’s recent economic gains, stressing that Parliament must rely on verified financial disclosures rather than speculation.

Mr Afful also recalled the country’s rising public debt during the NPP’s period in government, arguing that the current allegations lack credibility when viewed against that background.

The Majority maintained that transparency and accountability would be ensured once GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana formally present their reports to Parliament, cautioning against drawing conclusions ahead of due process.

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Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, December 29, Ofoase Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the scale of the reported loss warrants immediate and thorough scrutiny for the benefit of Ghanaians.

“The Gold-for-Reserves initiative, intended to strengthen foreign reserves and stabilise the cedi, has instead become shrouded in opacity, with troubling questions surrounding pricing, intermediaries, and oversight,” he noted.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah outlined a four-point plan, starting with the establishment of a Parliamentary Ad-hoc Investigative Committee. “The committee must be empowered to subpoena all contracts, licences, and intermediaries involved in the programme, including what we describe as the ‘Bawa-Rock monopoly,’” he said.

The Minority also called for full national disclosure, urging the Bank of Ghana and GoldBod to publish details of the programme, including fee structures, pricing formulas, aggregator selection criteria, and foreign-exchange arrangements tied to gold purchases.

Highlighting environmental concerns, the caucus demanded emergency measures such as suspending mining permits in forest reserves and introducing blockchain-based, mine-level traceability systems for all gold purchases under the scheme.

Insisting on accountability “without fear or favour,” the Minority demanded that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the CEO of GoldBod appear before the committee and cooperate fully with the investigation. “Where negligence or corruption is established, criminal prosecutions must follow, and all recoverable funds must be clawed back,” he stressed.

Framing the issue as a national concern rather than a partisan one, the Minority said the controversy challenges Ghana’s ability to protect its natural resources.

“This crisis transcends politics. It is about whether Ghana still has guardians or only spectators,” the caucus declared.

The Minority also called on traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, traders, students, labour unions, civil society, academia, and the diaspora to speak up in defense of the country’s patrimony.

“Gold may glitter, but truth endures,” Mr. Oppong Nkrumah warned, adding: “May history record that when our gold was taken, our rivers poisoned, and our future mortgaged, we all stood up.”

He concluded by urging Ghanaians to demand accountability, describing the moment as “not a time for spectators, but a moment for citizens.”

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In a statement issued on Thursday, December 25, the Council praised the Minority for its “unmatched commitment, resilience and sterling qualities” throughout the year, despite operating with a numerical disadvantage in the House.

According to the Elders, the Minority Caucus, with 87 Members of Parliament against a Majority of 189, has remained vocal and value-driven in debates, refusing to be sidelined by its limited numbers.

“This year, in the face of a disadvantaged numerical strength of 87 in favour of the Minority and the relentless tactics of bullying, frustration and intimidation by the Majority of 189, you have demonstrated unmatched commitment, resilience and sterling qualities in debates that speak to the very soul of our tradition,” the statement said.

The Council noted that it has closely followed parliamentary proceedings and expressed admiration for how the Minority has conducted itself amid what it described as sustained pressure from the Majority side.

Drawing from the Danquah-Busia-Dombo political tradition, the Elders described the Minority as steadfast defenders of liberty and constitutional governance, stressing that democracy thrives only when its core principles are courageously upheld.

The statement further highlighted the caucus’s leadership style, linking it to the human-centred philosophy of Dr. K.A. Busia. According to the Council, the Minority has shown that leadership is rooted not merely in power, but in service and respect for the dignity of the Ghanaian people.

The Elders also acknowledged the caucus’s efforts to promote unity and cooperation, in line with the inclusive ideals championed by S.D. Dombo. They noted that even in adversity, the Minority has sought dialogue and consensus, reinforcing the belief that national progress is best achieved through unity rather than division.

“These ideals of liberty, humanism and unity are not relics of history,” the statement said, adding that the Minority has carried these values into Parliament “with honour and conviction.”

The Council concluded by commending the caucus for its performance over the past year, stating that its conduct has reaffirmed the relevance of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition as both a living heritage and a moral guide for principled political leadership.