According to him, some Chairpersons intentionally schedule committee meetings at the same time as plenary sittings, making it difficult for the House to form a quorum and conduct business.

His remarks follow the release of a parliamentary attendance report covering 43 sittings between January and March 2025, which revealed that several MPs missed sittings for more than 20 days without official permission.

Addressing the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Dafeamekpor said that despite repeated calls to review committee schedules, some Chairpersons continue to disregard directives.

“The records will bear me out that I drew the attention of the leadership of the committees to this matter. Mr. Speaker, we have discovered that some leaders of committees are arranging committee business in the afternoon when we have all agreed that committee business should be arranged in the morning, so that at 2 p.m., we will be ready to conduct business in the House,” he said.

He noted that the day’s Order Paper contained several committee meetings scheduled for the afternoon, contrary to the earlier agreement.

“Today’s Order Paper shows that there are advertised meetings of committees for the afternoon when we had encouraged them to shift those sittings to the morning so that we have adequate numbers in the afternoon to conduct business,” he added.

The Chief Whip therefore appealed to Committee Chairpersons to comply with the agreed schedule to ensure full participation of Members and the smooth running of parliamentary business.

A statement from the Parliamentary Service dated October 30, 2025, and signed by Director of Media Relations David Sebastian Damoah, said Mr Bagbin’s selection was based on his integrity, impartiality, and proven ability to foster trust among conflicting parties.

According to IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, “We are confident that your leadership and experience will strengthen the work of the Taskforce in its mission to support diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.”

Mr Bagbin joins seven other parliamentarians on the Taskforce, which includes representatives from all six geopolitical groups within the IPU.

The Taskforce, created in March 2022 as an ad-hoc body, serves as a diplomatic channel for dialogue between legislators from Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Since its inception, it has held over a dozen meetings and undertook a mission to Kyiv and Moscow in July 2022. The group also facilitates semi-annual consultations with Ukrainian and Russian parliamentary delegations during IPU Assemblies.

As a member, Mr Bagbin will participate in key sessions during the IPU Assemblies, attend hearings, engage in bilateral discussions with Ukrainian and Russian officials, and take part in peace-focused dialogues with international leaders. The Taskforce is recognised as one of the few forums where lawmakers from both nations meet regularly to exchange views amidst the ongoing conflict.

The statement highlighted that Mr Bagbin’s extensive experience in peace mediation and parliamentary diplomacy will strengthen the Taskforce’s mission to foster understanding and dialogue.

Established in 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the global organisation of national parliaments, with 180 full members and 15 associate members. Its overarching goal is the promotion of peace, democracy, and cooperation through parliamentary engagement.

ALSO READ:

• Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill must be reintroduced in Parliament – Speaker Bagbin rules

• Bagbin calls for official leave days for MPs

Read the full statement below:

Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzrah, and Walewale MP, Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, disagreed sharply on whether the executive should take over the process from private members.

Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama said he opposed the idea of the executive bringing the bill.

According to him, Parliament must build a culture that allows private members to push bills that serve public interest, even when the government is not keen.

He said, “One of the reasons why I’m against it is that we see we must develop a culture of even where certain bills are in the interest of the public, but because the executive has some interest, they don’t want to push it on.

“Private members should be able to pass those bills. This is because the representatives of the people are the members of parliament. But if we always have this culture that every bill must come from the executive, we are not developing that.”

Responding to the constitutional argument about private members’ bills not imposing a charge on the Consolidated Fund, he argued that the interpretation of Article 108 was wrong.

He said, “If they are resting the argument on Article 108 of the Constitution, I argue that the interpretation being placed on that particular provision is wrong because the title, which is also an aid to the interpretation of the constitutional provision, states clearly that settlement of financial matters.”

He explained that the framers of the Constitution intended that the provision applied only to fiscal bills that impose taxes or confer financial benefits.

He added, “Even I participated in the recent constitutional review process, and this article is one of the areas that we are thinking of proposing amendments to, especially the title, so that it will reflect the content of this particular bill.”

Mr Tia Mahama maintained that due process was as important as the outcome. “It is my position, and a considered well, for that matter, that processes and procedures are as good as the results,” he said.

He added, “You cannot just be interested in the results. You must be interested in the process.”

He insisted that allowing government to take over the bill would kill individual initiative and weaken democratic culture.

“If you just said, okay, let’s do it as usual, government should bring the bill in a bill that means that it even kills individual initiative,” he stated.

He warned that if Parliament always relied on the executive, important legislation might never pass. “Like the previous government, if we were relying on the executive to implement this bill, would the bill have come to pass? Definitely no,” he said.

But Emmanuel Bedzrah disagreed. He said he had no objection to the government taking over the bill.

“The question with the president was the fact that he would introduce the bill as a public bill, not a private member’s bill,” he said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZQ6Xzem0_VI?si=WAplHiDt5s6dqR9v

“That’s where we all stood, and we won the election. I have been waiting for the Attorney General to bring the public bill, but he is not forthcoming, so those of us who have decided to bring it back said Well the bill has already been passed in its state and form, why don’t we reintroduce it as a private members’ bill?”

He explained that the executive could later take it up.

“The government can arrest it now that, although it has been introduced as a private members’ bill, I am taking it on and I want to bring it as a public bill. There is nothing wrong with that.”

He said he would actually prefer it to become a public bill. “In fact, I will prefer that it will become a public bill, because of the argument my Senior Brother has made, the fact that you know when it is a public bill, you take away all the politics about it,” he said.

Mr Bedzrah said politics was now clouding the bill’s purpose.

“Currently, there is politics around it. From what I’ve heard from my colleagues, now is becoming a partisan roadblock, and I’m not in parliament to pass this bill as a partisan bill. I want to pass for Ghanaians.”

He said the first time the bill was introduced, it had bipartisan support.

“When we came together the first time, even though it was only Reverend Ntim Fordjour from the NPP side who joined us. He was actively involved, and I doff my hat to him.”

He said the bill should unite Ghanaians, not divide them.

“It should not be that we are avenging, or there is some form of we want to reciprocate. No, no, no. It should be that this bill is for Ghanaians, and Ghana, we are passing it for Ghanaians. And so it should not be partisan at all,” he said.

He concluded, “If government takes it, arrests it and then brings it back as a public bill, I’ll be the happiest person.”

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

ALSO READ:

• This time, president will assent – Bedzrah assures swift passage of Proper Sexuality Bill

• Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: I won’t return to Parliament if… – Ho West MP

Ho West MP and sponsor of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has announced that the reintroduced bill will be laid before Parliament as soon as it appears on the order paper.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr. Bedzrah explained that the previous version of the bill, passed under the Eighth Parliament, no longer holds legal standing, and the legislative process must begin afresh.

“The 8th Parliament bill that was passed by Parliament is now moot. We don’t have a bill. All we have now is a new bill that has been introduced to the House. We are yet to lay it. We’re waiting for the Speaker to give a directive, as he did on Tuesday. The bill will be laid as soon as it’s advertised on our order paper,” he said.

He recalled that the earlier bill was unanimously supported by MPs before stalling at the presidency. “As we all know, that bill was passed last Parliament. Eight of us sponsored it, and we did everything possible to ensure it passed. You remember, 275 of us supported it,” he added.

Mr. Bedzrah explained that the bill, after being passed, was transmitted to the President for assent but never reached him due to a legal challenge. “It got to a point where it had to be assented to by the President, but it was blocked along the line. Someone had to go to the Supreme Court for interpretation on whether the President should receive it in the first place,” he said.

He noted that the change in administration meant the bill effectively lapsed and had to be reintroduced. “The then government could not assent to it, so it does not form a law. Even though it was passed, it’s like you are in the middle — neither here nor there,” he said.

Using a vivid metaphor, Mr. Bedzrah described the reintroduction as a second chance to “do the right thing.” “God has decided that, okay, come back to the earth to do the right thing. So it’s back to us now, and fortunately, we came together to start a new life for the bill,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the bill’s future, he concluded, “I can tell you that from what people are saying, the bill will be passed again, and this time around, the President will assent to it.”

At a press briefing, Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib claimed that the MCE had publicly admitted to collecting fines from illegal miners, some of whom are reportedly National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch executives in Akim Oda.

He further alleged that some miners paid up to GHC15,000 without receiving official receipts or following standard financial procedures.

“The Minority Caucus in Parliament is scandalised by the admission of the Municipal Chief Executive of the Birim Central Municipality, Solomon Kusi Brako, that illegal miners were fined various sums of money for mining illegally in the Akim Oda area and were then allowed to continue their activities,” Mr. Shaib stated.

According to him, the MCE later instructed the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAMOS) to destroy equipment belonging to some of the same miners he had previously fined — a move that sparked public outrage.

“This occurred after some of these illegal miners, who describe themselves as NDC branch executives, complained because the same MCE who collected money from them directed NAMOS to their site to burn their equipment. We are urging the President to take charge of activities in the Akim Oda municipality,” he added.

Mr. Shaib emphasized that the MCE’s actions contradict the government’s stated commitment to combating galamsey.

“Today, we are calling on His Excellency, the President, to hold this Municipal Chief Executive accountable. If the President genuinely intends to fight galamsey, the MCE is acting contrary to that vision,” he stressed.

Covering 43 sittings held between January and March 2025, the report shows Felix Akwetey Nii Okle, MP for Bortianor-Ngleshi Amanfro, as the most absent legislator, missing 23 sittings. He was followed by Joseph Frempong of Nkawkaw, absent on 22 occasions, and Ernest Yaw Anim of Kumawu, who missed 21 sittings.

Other MPs with notable absentee rates include Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd.) of Jaman South with 19 absences; Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minister for Finance, absent 17 times; and Blay Nyameke Armah of Sekondi, who missed 16 sittings.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs, recorded 15 absences, while Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie (Effiduase-Asokore), Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (Takoradi), and Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng (Obuasi West) each missed 14 sittings. Several others, including Sam Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram), Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (Wa Central) — Minister for Employment — and Francis-Xavier Sosu (Madina), were absent 13 times each.

In response, Speaker Alban Bagbin has directed parliamentary clerks to tighten attendance monitoring, cautioning that repeated absenteeism could lead to sanctions, including possible loss of seat, under parliamentary rules.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, the bill co-sponsor described the claims as “untruthful,” insisting that the Effutu MP never engaged the bill’s sponsors in any agreement or amendment discussions.

“For crying out loud, you can ask Moses Foh-Amaning when we met as a group of sponsors. I was leading this whole business until we appointed Sam George as our spokesperson. If there was anybody who needed to be spoken to, it was me. Honourable Afenyo-Markin has never come to us as sponsors to change, amend, or even hold the bill,” Mr. Bedzrah stated.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had earlier claimed that, while serving as Majority Leader in the last Parliament, he consulted high-ranking NDC figures before the bill was passed for presidential assent. Mr. Bedzrah, however, insisted no such meeting took place.

“Those people above us call us as party folks who were pushing for the bill. I am telling you on authority that Sam George did not inform us that anybody had called him. Our party was behind us. We meet as eight members, including Ntim Fordjour, to agree on how to proceed,” he added.

Bedzrah also rejected suggestions that the NDC betrayed Afenyo-Markin following supposed backroom negotiations.

“In Parliament, any such negotiations would have to involve the sponsors. If it were a ministry, you speak to the ministry. Nobody had any conversation with us. Otherwise, we would have backed down. You came thinking that because you are Majority Leader, people should just comply,” he said.

He further questioned Afenyo-Markin’s current advocacy for the bill, calling it contradictory.

“This is the first time I’m hearing this, and I am surprised that the same Minority Leader now stands in Parliament advocating for the bill. What kind of double tongue is this?” he asked.

Emphasizing his personal conviction, Mr. Bedzrah declared that his political career hinges on the bill’s passage.

“I can say on principle that if this bill is not assented to, I will not come back to Parliament again. This is a live studio, and I’m saying it — I’ve told my colleagues the same. What do I come to do if I don’t have a moral principle for my generations unborn?” he said.

He stressed that his stance is rooted in principle rather than politics.

“That is my whole life. I did not enter Parliament just to be an MP. Our principles must be defended. Some of us are not there to do politics. We are there for a purpose — for the forward movement and advancement of this country. I’m very passionate about it,” Mr. Bedzrah concluded.

The comments follow a motion filed by the Minority on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, seeking to suspend all parliamentary processes leading to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment until pending legal actions filed by the removed Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, are resolved.

The motion, signed by some Minority MPs, was defended by Gushegu MP Hassan Tampuli, who argued that Parliament must adopt the motion to uphold due process. He noted that the caucus’ position was not against the nominee personally but intended to protect procedural fairness.

“It appears to me that he [Tampuli] is arguing the legal case for Torkornoo, and Parliament is not a court. That is not the place to argue the legal case of Torkornoo,” Mr Fuseini said.

He explained that Parliament’s role in the appointment process is clearly defined and cannot be suspended simply because a legal case is before the courts.

“There is a method of appointing a Chief Justice. The nomination must come from the President, and the approval must come from Parliament. When the two coincide, then the act is consolidated. The Chief Justice is approved and sworn into office,” he stated.

Mr Fuseini added that unless the President’s nomination is itself stopped, Parliament cannot be prevented from performing its constitutional duty under Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

He further noted that the framers of the Constitution did not intend for decisions regarding the removal of a Chief Justice to be subject to appeal, pointing out that Article 146 provides finality to such proceedings.

“If the framers of the Constitution had intended an appeal, they would have provided for it,” he said.

Source: Prince Adu Owusu

ALSO READ:

• Minority files motion to halt Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting pending court cases on CJ Torkornoo’s…

• Whether or not Minority will participate in Ag. CJ’s vetting – Afenyo-Markin explains

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr Bedzrah said his stance is rooted in principle and moral conviction rather than politics.

“If it’s not assented to, I will not come back to Parliament again,” he declared. “This is a live studio, and I’m saying it. I’ve even told my colleagues and everybody that if it’s not passed and assented to, I’ll not come back. What do I come to do? If I don’t have a moral principle to my generations unborn, then what am I doing?”

He emphasised that his entire parliamentary career and personal beliefs are tied to defending the bill, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities and promote what its sponsors call “proper human sexual rights and family values.”

“That is my whole life. Some of us did not just enter Parliament because we wanted to be members of Parliament,” he stated. “We must defend our principles. My colleagues who think we are just there to do politics are mistaken. Some of us are there for a purpose — for the forward movement and advancement of this country.”

Mr Bedzrah, one of the bill’s sponsors, also accused Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of being “untruthful” about claims that he once sought to amend the bill when he was Majority Leader in the previous Parliament.

He denied any engagement with Mr Afenyo-Markin or his office over proposed amendments.

“He has never come to us as sponsors either to change or do any amendment, or even hold on the bill,” Bedzrah insisted. “This is the first time I’m hearing anything like this, and I am surprised that the same Minority Leader today will stand in front of everybody in Parliament advocating for this bill. So what kind of double tongue is this?”

According to him, as one of the eight sponsors of the bill, he worked closely with other members, including Ntim Fordjour and Sam George, to coordinate its progress in Parliament.

“We meet as eight members, including Hon. Fordjour, to agree on how to go about this business,” he said. “When he brought those amendments, he lost miserably.”

His comments were in response to Mr Afenyo-Markin’s earlier claim on JoyNews that the then-opposition NDC refused to cooperate with efforts to amend the bill to make it more acceptable for presidential assent.

For Mr Bedzrah, however, the issue transcends politics — it is a matter of moral conviction. He insists that if the bill does not receive presidential assent, his 16-year parliamentary career will come to an end.

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

ALSO READ:

• Samuel Abu Jinapor urges Majority to reintroduce original Anti-LGBTQ Bill

• Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill must be reintroduced in Parliament – Speaker Bagbin rules

The caution follows reports of persistently low attendance in Parliament since sittings resumed last week, a trend that has continued throughout the year.

Under Ghana’s Constitution, any MP absent for 15 consecutive sittings without permission from the Speaker automatically forfeits their seat.

Addressing the House on Wednesday, October 29, Mr. Bagbin said he would strictly enforce these constitutional provisions during the current session.

“It’s for good reason we decided that we’ll sit in the afternoons so that you can take the morning to attend committee meetings, prepare reports and attend to your constituents, and that by 2 p.m., you should be ready to sit,” he said.

The Speaker explained that afternoon sittings were introduced to allow MPs to engage with ministries and public institutions during official hours, while evening sessions were designed to enable citizens to follow parliamentary proceedings more conveniently.

“In the evenings, people have the opportunity to sit, watch, advise you, and make inputs. That again we are not taking advantage of. I’m saying this for the last time,” he cautioned.

Mr. Bagbin revealed that he had directed parliamentary clerks to take detailed attendance records throughout the current session, warning that sanctions would follow if absenteeism persisted.

“We have the Standing Orders. We know what they say. We’ll be taking action to ensure that members are compelled to sit or be considered to have vacated their seats,” he declared.

Expressing disappointment, the Speaker said continued disregard for plenary sessions was eroding public confidence in Parliament.

“I’m not happy with the way members value plenary sessions,” he lamented. “You yourselves, those of you who are always here, I see from your faces that you are with me in this matter.”

Mr. Bagbin also disclosed that he had already compiled attendance records from the first and second meetings of the year but had chosen not to publish them.

“I decided, for good reason, not to publish them but to give you the last opportunity. It looks like that was a catastrophic mistake I made. I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee,” he remarked.

Source: Adomonline

ALSO READ:

• Afenyo-Markin proposes MPs’ hospital and a new parliamentary chamber, Ayariga opposes

• Parliament needs divine intervention to restore order among MPs – Speaker

The Bank of Ghana on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, launched a year-long commemoration of the milestone at the Accra International Conference Centre under the theme, “60 Years of the Cedi: A Symbol of Sovereignty, Stability, and Economic Resilience.”

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, said all leaders who have played a role in strengthening the Cedi deserve to be acknowledged.

“I want to look at it from the angle that whoever has contributed to the proper evolution of the Cedi must be commended and celebrated. We have a list of names, and President Mahama is one of them, but anybody who has been president since the inception of the Cedi must be commended,” he stated.

He further stressed that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who served for eight years, should be recognized as a major contributor to the Cedi’s stability.

His appeal follows hints from the Speaker that the Majority may propose adjustments to certain sections of the bill before presenting it again, a move the Damongo legislator strongly opposes.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Abu Jinapor stressed that the bill, officially titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, was unanimously approved by the previous Parliament after extensive national consultations and should be restored in its original form.

“Let them bring the bill as it was, and as was passed by the 8th Parliament in the same form and shape. Don’t change it. Don’t water it down. What Ghanaians want is a law that promotes good sexual conduct in Ghana and prevents LGBTQ,” he asserted.

The legislation, though passed, was not assented to before the previous government’s term ended. The current NDC-led administration has indicated plans to reintroduce the bill in the 9th Parliament, reportedly with some amendments.

Abu Jinapor, who also serves as Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that altering the original provisions would undermine the legislative process and disregard the moral and cultural values held by Ghanaians.

His remarks have reignited national debate over the controversial bill, which continues to divide opinion among civil society groups, faith-based organisations, and international partners.

As Parliament prepares to deliberate on the legislation, attention is on how the Majority will respond to Abu Jinapor’s call to restore the bill in its original form.

According to him, while freedom of expression must be guaranteed, Ghana cannot allow a climate where fear of government outweighs responsibility on social media—a trend he warns threatens both the ruling party and the opposition.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show, Mr Bataglia said the draft bill is still at its initial stage and will undergo extensive debate before becoming law.

“This is basically a draft bill that will go through a lot of debate and other things, so I’m happy that people are pointing this out. But there is one thing we are all afraid of as people in this country—that yes, as much as we want to give people freedom, it is also important we make sure that we at least create some kind of responsibility in people. And that is the fact,” he said.

He warned that when citizens fear the government more than they respect rules, it creates a challenging environment.

“NDC, no matter how long they stay in power, will not be in power forever. Somebody should take steps to be able to sensitise the system so that one day, in the very unforeseeable future, if they come into power, they will also be comfortable running this country without any fear because the social media and whatever is happening now is taking us to a stage that at least all of us are not comfortable with. It’s not just the ones in government now, but even those in opposition,” Mr Bataglia said.

The lawmaker also emphasised the importance of basing statements on facts.

“People say things sometimes not based on fact. If you say something based on fact and conclude, “I don’t think you have a problem, so I think that as much as it’s something that we are going to look at, it will be laid before Parliament.

“Debate will be done, and all aspects that we think are not in sync with our aspirations, I think there is no problem taking that out and tweaking it to fit our aspirations. I’m sure that will be fine.”

The Cybersecurity Amendment Bill 2025 has generated widespread debate, particularly on social media under the hashtag #ScrapCSABill2025, with critics warning that it could hand excessive power to the state to monitor or restrict online activity.

Supporters, however, argue that the bill is intended to strengthen Ghana’s digital security framework and help curb cybercrime, misinformation, and online fraud.

Source: Kareen Tei

ALSO READ:

• Cybersecurity Amendment Bill could criminalize free speech – Oppong Nkrumah

• Cybersecurity Amendment Bill too ambiguous, draconian – IMANI’s Selorm Branttie

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, he said his leadership will be defined by substance, not numbers.

“I’m not in any way worried about the numbers. Like I indicated in my opening remarks in Parliament, it’s about substance,” he said.

Responding to suggestions that power in Parliament lies in numbers, Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that influence is earned through strategy and conviction.

“Before the final destination, you need to demonstrate your weight. And for me, that is what enriches democracy,” he said.

He drew inspiration from how the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led in Parliament by Alban Bagbin in opposition, recovered from its first major defeat in 2000.

“The situation has happened before to the NDC. I draw a lot of inspiration from the Bagbin era and NDC opposition,”

Mr Afenyo-Markin recalled how the NDC, after its PNDC roots, struggled for relevance when it lost power.

“Kufuor enjoyed huge goodwill. In 2001, nobody wanted to hear NDC. In fact, it was difficult for them to even appear on radio programmes. But they put themselves together in the midst of the confusion,” he recounted.

According to him, the Bagbin-led Minority’s hard work and determination eventually paid off.

“By 2004, they had momentum on their side. Then by 2008, they surprised the nation,” he said.

He stressed the importance of learning from both successes and failures.

“As a politician, you should not be shy of your weakness. You come into government, you have your success story, you have your failings,” he noted.

Reflecting on the government’s record, Mr Afenyo-Markin admitted challenges in tackling illegal mining, stabilising the economy, and managing public discontent.

“We were faced with huge challenges. We tried, but we were not too successful. Typical example, galamsey,” he said.

He said tough economic measures taken during the post-COVID period alienated key sections of the party’s base.

“We lost the middle class, the businessmen. There were haircuts, pensioners, educated people who ordinarily would vote NPP got disappointed,” he said.

Despite this, he maintained that the government achieved significant milestones in education and industrialisation.

“We introduced Free SHS, which benefited many families. We brought in 1D1F, a major boost for the private sector. It attracted a lot of companies that saw Ghana as a great destination for business,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin concluded that although expectations were high and the party lost ground, the experience has strengthened his resolve.

“Eventually, all these gains, because of our inability to meet the higher expectations of the Ghanaian people, we lost out,” he said.

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

ALSO READ:

• ‘NPP MPs no longer micro minority but minuscule’ – Majority Leader teases

• Whether or not Minority will participate in Ag. CJ’s vetting – Afenyo-Markin explains

The Committee assured that its findings will guide measures to strengthen coastal protection efforts and improve project supervision nationwide.

Source: Ohene Amponsah

ALSO READ:

• Mahama directs Finance Minister to fund Blekusu Sea Defence Phase II

• Agavedzi residents hail Mahama over Blekusu Sea Defence Project

“You told the respondent, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, and her lawyers to return on the 15th for the next petition. Then suddenly, the petitioners’ lawyers request a long adjournment, and out of the blue, a report recommending her removal is produced,” he recounted.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that such conduct “casts doubt on the integrity of the process” and erodes public confidence in judicial accountability.

The Effutu MP’s remarks come after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, referred President John Mahama’s nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice to the Appointments Committee for vetting and recommendation, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

He has also directed the committee to expedite its work and present its report to the House for a final decision.

Source:

ALSO READ:

• Torkonoo files suit to halt vetting and appointment of Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice

• Speaker refers Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination as CJ to Appointments Committee

Habib Iddrisu, a member of the Minority, expressed concern on the floor of Parliament, describing the situation as “a serious matter.”

“Mr Speaker, we cannot have bills advertised on the Order Paper yesterday and today, the same bills are missing without anything being explained to anybody,” he said.

“We, the leadership of the Minority here, we are not aware why it has not been captured in today’s Order Paper. Neither are the sponsors.”

The bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was expected to be reintroduced in Parliament on Wednesday, October 22, after being listed on Tuesday.

However, it was quietly removed from the day’s business agenda.

Also expressing frustration, Ntim Fordjour accused the government of attempting to “run away” from the bill.

“Suddenly, this clearly indicates that there seems to be a clear attempt by the NDC government to run away from this bill,” he charged. “The bill that they thought was important yesterday must be important today. We are demanding that the human sexual rights and Family Values Bill be passed now.”

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, explained earlier that there was no need to re-lay the bill since it had already been passed by the previous Parliament and forwarded to the Presidency for assent.

The anti-LBGTQ+ bill has been one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in recent years, drawing both strong support from conservative groups and sharp criticism from human rights advocates and sections of the international community.

With the bill’s sudden removal from the Order Paper, the Minority is demanding clarity and immediate action.

Source: Myjoyonline

Speaking at a press conference, he said several government programmes, including the 24-hour economy initiative and the Feed Ghana programme, have yet to undergo any form of parliamentary oversight despite being scheduled for implementation.

“The 24-hour economy program, the 1 million codes program, the agro agri-food economic transformation program, the program to export labour as announced by the President, and the national apprenticeship program, just to mention a few, have not seen parliamentary scrutiny,” he stated.

The Effutu MP noted that the executive arm of government is obligated to present such programme documents to Parliament before execution since they rely on funds approved by the legislature.

He argued that the lack of transparency undermines effective oversight.

“We cannot say that there is oversight when the basic program documents are not laid before Parliament. It is therefore imperative that the government shows commitment and avails these documents to Parliament for proper oversight to commence,” he stressed.

He also cited the April 2025 Feed Ghana programme, which was expected to modernise agriculture, create jobs, and build agro-industries, as well as the September 2025 Big Push infrastructure initiative — a $10 billion plan to enhance national connectivity — as examples of stalled programmes.

According to him, despite their announcement, none of these initiatives has been backed with formal documents for legislative review.

He further criticised the government’s handling of the much-touted 24-hour economy initiative, saying expectations were raised in the President’s State of the Nation Address but were not addressed in the 2025 budget.

“The Finance Minister, in presenting the 2025 budget, said nothing about the 24-hour economic programme,” Afenyo-Markin added.

Afenyo-Markin vowed that the Minority will continue to demand accountability from the executive and insists that all programme documents be submitted to Parliament to ensure transparency, fairness, and effective implementation.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Joy News’ AM Show, the former Deputy Education Minister expressed confidence that the legislative process will be smooth, stressing that most of the contentious issues surrounding the bill have already been addressed.

“Within 3 months to 6 months, we should be able to pass this bill. We’ve had bills more complex than this, which even came under a certificate of urgency. So, I don’t see why this should go beyond three months,” Rev. Fordjour said.

The MP explained that the current bill is not starting from scratch, as extensive consultations and debates have already taken place in the previous parliamentary session.

This, he believes, should accelerate its passage once it goes through the standard legislative stages.

He also noted that if the level of bipartisan support shown earlier is maintained, the bill should not extend beyond the current parliamentary meeting.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LBGTQ+ bill, has generated significant national and international debate.

It seeks to criminalise same-sex relations and activities deemed to promote LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.

The bill is expected to be laid before Parliament this week for its first reading before being referred to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for consideration.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah  

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Joy News AM Show, Rev. Ntim Fordjour stressed that the bill, which has already been advertised on the Order Paper, is of urgent public interest and should be taken up without delay.

“Any time between today and tomorrow — I do not even think that it should go beyond today because it is already advertised and it’s a matter of urgent public interest,” he said.

He added that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has consistently expressed his support in principle for the bill and is expected to facilitate its swift presentation.

“I expect that today at 2:00 p.m., when Parliament reconvenes, it should be one of the first bills that should be called for first reading. Consequential referral to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs will be done by the Speaker,” he explained.

The MP noted that after the first reading, the Committee will invite the bill’s sponsors, a bipartisan group of MPs including Sam George, and other co-sponsors, for further engagement.

The subsequent legislative processes will then follow, leading to the second and third readings before passage.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LBGTQ+ bill, has been one of the most polarising pieces of legislation in recent years.

The earlier version of the bill, passed in 2024, was stalled after legal challenges and a court injunction prevented Parliament from transmitting it to the President for assent.

This new move to re-lay the bill marks a renewed push by its sponsors to ensure its passage ahead of the 2025 legislative calendar.

The bill seeks to criminalise certain LGBTQ+ activities and promote what its sponsors describe as “Ghanaian family values,” but it has also drawn criticism from human rights advocates and sections of the international community.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah  

Speaking on Joy News AM Show following Parliament’s resumption on Tuesday, Dr Kwainoe said the bills under consideration are aimed at strengthening the economy and positioning the country for sustainable growth.

“I think that all the other bills that were discussed yesterday basically are supposed to steer this country to a point where we can be self-sufficient,” he said.

“So far, looking at what has happened in this country, the economy and all the other important issues that the government is really paying attention to, I think that things are looking quite positive.”

He added that the Finance Ministry’s outlook on economic recovery reflects real progress, noting that the country has “turned the corner positively” and must maintain the momentum to achieve meaningful results.

The government has since assured Ghanaians that its medium-term measures are beginning to yield results, citing declining inflation and a stabilising currency.

The Ekumfi MP-elect believes sustaining these reforms will be critical to ensuring broad-based growth.

“If we continue on that trajectory, this country would do quite well,” he added.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah

ALSO READ:

• Enough talk, time for action — Afenyo-Markin rallies Parliament to fight galamsey

• Bagbin elected Chairman of Inter-Parliamentary Union Africa group

Source: Adomonline

• ALSO READ:
• ‘NPP MPs no longer micro minority but minuscule’ – Majority Leader teases

• Bagbin swears in MPs-elect for Akwatia and Tamale Central

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, he said, the recent by-elections in Akwatia, Tamale Central, and Ablekuma have completed the full composition of the House, but have also further reduced the NPP’s numerical strength.

“With these two elections — Akwatia and Tamale Central and the one that took place in Ablekuma, this House is now fully constituted.

“The independent members of this House remain four. The NPP, which previously had a micro minority of 88, has seen its number shrink further to 87,” Mr. Ayariga said, drawing laughter from the chamber.

He added humorously, “Mr. Speaker, I believe they are no longer a micro minority, but a minuscule minority. ‘Micro’ could actually represent a large number because it’s a unit of measurement — one million can be micro when you are evaluating one billion. In English, when you want to describe something very small, you say minuscule.”

The Majority Leader went on to emphasise the growing numerical strength of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus, noting that with the support of the four independent MPs, the party now commands a “super majority.”

“The NDC super majority will balloon to 185 when we add our numbers to the four independents who have agreed to do business with us,” he said with a smile.

“The NDC will become a gargantuan majority. All I can say is, Mr. Speaker, so far, so excellent.”

Source: Emma Ankrah

ALSO READ:

• Minority demands urgent government action on Volta Lake transport safety

• Bagbin swears in MPs-elect for Akwatia and Tamale Central

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday during the House’s resumption, Mahama Ayariga said his interactions with constituents during the recess underscored the urgent need to address youth unemployment, which remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

“Mr Speaker, during recess, MPs had the opportunity to observe the impact of the work we did during our previous meetings — the budget we approved, the laws we passed, and the policies underpinning them. Our engagements revealed the persistent urge and need to address youth unemployment,” he said.

The Bawku Central MP added that the House would, in the current meeting, focus on reviewing the job creation policies across various sectors to ensure that national legislation directly supports employment growth.

He noted that Ghana’s demographic profile makes the issue even more urgent, with citizens aged 15 to 35 forming over 38% of the population and 60% of the labour force.

“They face enormous barriers to economic inclusion,” he said, adding, “Indeed, they want jobs.”

Mr. Ayariga also cited findings from the 2024 Afrobarometer report by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which revealed that unemployment remains the top concern among Ghanaians, followed by the management of the economy and infrastructure development.

“We must ensure that our laws and the policies we enact create jobs,” he stressed.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah  

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday during the House’s resumption, Mahama Ayariga said his interactions and committee engagements during the recess revealed significant progress across key sectors of the economy — from energy and education to fiscal management.

“Mr Speaker, I’m proud to say that so far, so excellent. The energy sector is doing very well, and electricity has remained on and is powering growth. The economy is rebounding, and Ghana once again is gaining economic respectability globally — so far, so excellent,” he said.

The Bawku Central MP highlighted improvements in the performance of the cedi, a decline in inflation, and prudent government spending as key indicators of progress.

According to him, Ghana’s inflation rate has dropped to single digits, prices are easing, and the cost of living is gradually becoming more affordable for ordinary citizens.

“The Ghana cedi is gaining strength and stabilising. Inflation has come down to single digits, prices are coming down, and life is becoming affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian — so far, so excellent,” he added.

Mahama Ayariga further noted that the government was meeting its debt obligations without accumulating “needless debt,” stressing that fiscal discipline and targeted expenditure had improved. He praised the education sector, particularly the Free SHS programme, saying it remained fully funded and stable.

“Our schools are functioning well, and Free SHS is well funded. We have not experienced any disruption of the school year calendar in our constituencies — so far, so excellent,” he stated.

The Bank of Ghana has also reported relative stability in the cedi and declining inflation rates since mid-2025.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah  

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday as the House resumed sittings, Afenyo-Markin painted a grim picture of the devastation caused by galamsey across the country, lamenting that Ghana’s rivers and lands have become dangerously polluted.

“Speaker, our rivers run brown with pollution, vast tracts of once fertile land lie scarred and toxic, and many of our citizens in mining communities face illness and danger from poisonous chemicals. We have talked about illegal mining for years, yet the problem has only grown worse. Time for mere talk is over,” he said.

The Effutu MP emphasised that the time had come for “visionary and coordinated action” to protect Ghana’s environment and future generations. He urged government, Parliament, and local authorities to collaborate effectively to reverse the damage caused by illegal mining activities.

Afenyo-Markin reminded the House that the country had long been warned about the dangers of galamsey.

He cited investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’s 2010 documentary, which exposed the “dark underbelly” of illegal mining and the corruption that fuels it.

His call comes amid growing concern over the continued destruction of Ghana’s water bodies, particularly major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin, which have turned brown due to mining-related pollution.

The Minority Leader’s remarks are expected to spark renewed debate in Parliament on the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts and the need for a comprehensive, bipartisan strategy to safeguard the country’s natural resources.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah  

The brief ceremony, held during Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, marked the formal induction of the two National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislators following recent by-elections in their respective constituencies.

Mr. Baidoo was elected as MP for Akwatia after polling 18,199 votes in a keenly contested by-election. He replaces the late Ernest Yaw Kumi, whose passing created the vacancy.

In Tamale Central, Professor Alidu Seidu was declared the winner of the by-election after running unopposed. His election follows the tragic death of former MP Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

After administering the oaths of allegiance and office, Speaker Bagbin congratulated the new MPs and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with their new roles.

He urged them to “honour their oath, uphold the dignity of the House, and let your service be marked by integrity and accountability.”

The two MPs now join the NDC caucus in Parliament, further strengthening the party’s majority to 185 seats. Four Independent MPs have also declared their intention to collaborate with the NDC in the conduct of parliamentary business.

Source: Adomonline

• NDC’s Bernard Bediako wins Akwatia by-election

• EC declares NDC’s Prof. Alidu Seidu winner of Tamale Central by-election

The session, which marks the final one for the legislative year, is expected to be a busy period as the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, prepares to present the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in mid-November.

Two newly elected National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament, Bernard Bediako Baidoo for Akwatia and Professor Alidu Seidu for Tamale Central, will be officially sworn in during this meeting.

The Appointments Committee is also set to vet Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been nominated for the position of Chief Justice.

Additionally, government is expected to lay before the House a legislative instrument to repeal L.I. 2462, which currently empowers the President to permit mining in forest reserves, part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining.

Lawmakers will also deliberate on a range of national issues, including key bills, motions, and policy statements from various ministries and government agencies.

Source: AdomOnline

READ ALSO:

• Woman allegedly stabs husband during disagreement over meal at Maamaso
• Fire guts shops at Kantamanto Tazani Lane
• Some people are being called to the Bar who don’t deserve it – Thaddeus Sory

Speaking on the JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, the MP described the situation as an affront to the law and a growing pattern of executive disregard for parliamentary authority.

“The DVLA had gone ahead to charge people for fines, amongst others, without a request to parliament. And that is an affront to the law,” he alleged.

“These are areas we are raising because it is becoming one too many,” he added.

Mr. Boamah-Nyarko explained that under Ghana’s laws, any new charge or fee imposed on citizens must first be brought before Parliament for approval.

According to him, bypassing the legislative process not only undermines the role of Parliament but also erodes public trust in the governance system.

The legislator expressed worry that the executive’s frequent bypassing of Parliament could be deliberate, especially given the ruling party’s large parliamentary majority.

“Is it because they want to bring the image and reputation of Parliament into disrepute, or is it just a disregard because they have an absolute majority?” he questioned.

Mr. Boamah-Nyarko emphasised that Parliament is a “sacred institution” representing the collective will of the Ghanaian people through its 276 members.

He argued that, unlike the executive, which has a single elected president, Parliament reflects the voices of citizens across all constituencies and must not be ignored.

The MP further noted that the DVLA’s actions violate established legal procedures that require agencies to seek parliamentary consent before imposing any charges on the public.

He added that even when such issues are raised, the government’s response is often to suspend the charges and bring them to Parliament belatedly — something he believes is unacceptable.

“When the law makes it such that something that you are going to charge us as a people should get the people’s consent, and you don’t bring it to Parliament and you begin to charge… when issues are brought, you say you’ve suspended it and now you are bringing it to Parliament. Are they saying that they never knew they had to bring it to Parliament in the first place?” he asked.

Boamah-Nyarko warned that repeated disregard for parliamentary approval processes could weaken the governance structure and set a dangerous precedent.

“It’s becoming one too many. Issues that require Parliament’s mandatory approval are being completely disregarded, and that is unhealthy for our governance structure,” he cautioned.

The DVLA has in recent months faced growing public scrutiny over new charges and administrative fees.

While the agency has sometimes suspended controversial charges after public backlash, critics argue that the failure to follow due process reflects deeper governance challenges.

Parliament is expected to consider the matter in the coming days as concerns grow over the balance of power between the executive and legislature.

Source: Caleb Ahinakwah

ALSO READ:

• DVLA suspends road fines issued by compliance team

• DVLA to launch biometric driver’s licences and permits in 2026

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, October 15, the caucus said the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel George, has been “hastily trying to dispose of” a vital state asset without due process, transparency, or parliamentary oversight.

“We ask President John Dramani Mahama to rein in his Minister for Communication to focus on making AT work rather than hastily trying to dispose of it. A comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the proposed acquisition of AT by Telecel is imperative.”

The group accused the Minister of presiding over what they called a “worse process” than those he once criticised, claiming that the transaction is taking place behind closed doors and without proper consultation.

“It’s troubling that Hon. Samuel George, who was once an outspoken critic of his predecessor for how state assets were handled, is now presiding over a worse process that appears to be taking place without scrutiny,” they said.

The Minority also raised concerns about recent activities by Telecel Group’s CEO, Moh Damush, who they said has been in Ghana “making concerted efforts to finalise what many view as a questionable deal.” They alleged that Telecel has been partnering with the government on public donation initiatives aimed at gaining political goodwill ahead of the takeover.

“Telecel just last week collaborated with the Ministry of Health to support the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, through which they donated cervical cancer screening equipment to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” the group revealed. “Similar donation ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Tamale and at the Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital.”

In a strongly worded caution, the Minority warned Telecel that any attempt to acquire AT through “unlawful, non-transparent, or irregular means” would be illegitimate and could face reversal under a future government.

“Any deal shrouded in secrecy, executed without parliamentary scrutiny, or in violation of procurement and regulatory standards will be subject to review and possible legal action,” they said. “Telecel should be prepared for reputational damage and potential nullification of any agreement entered under such circumstances.”

The caucus stressed that the fight over AT’s future is not merely about the sale of a company but about protecting a strategic national institution that serves as a cornerstone of Ghana’s digital infrastructure.

“This is not merely about the sale of a company; it is about protecting a national institution that has served Ghana diligently,” they said. “AT must remain in Ghanaian hands and continue to serve as a cornerstone for our digital and economic future.”

The Minority concluded by calling for an immediate suspension of the ongoing merger talks and a full parliamentary inquiry into the deal. They also demanded full disclosure of all agreements, reports, and correspondence related to the Rektron/Afritel and Telecel negotiations, and an urgent review of AT’s financial obligations to the American Tower Company (ATC).

“We will not sit idly by and allow a single minister to unilaterally dispose of a critical national asset such as AT. The strategic importance of this company to our digital sovereignty and economic development cannot be overstated.”

Source: Clara Seshie

ALSO READ:

• Why Telecel–AT Ghana merger won’t solve fundamental problems – Abirem MP

• Mpraeso MP urges government to pause AT–Telecel merger

During a press conference on Monday, October 13, Mr. Akandoh announced that Cabinet had approved financial clearance for various categories of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

However, at a counter press conference, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and MP for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, disputed the minister’s assertions, describing them as deceptive.

According to Dr. Afriyie, the financial clearance for the recruitment of health professionals expired on December 31, 2024, under the previous administration, and the Mahama government failed to renew it.

He further alleged that although the former government had made budgetary allocations for the recruitment of 15,000 health workers, only about 7,000 to 8,000 were engaged before the change in administration.

The remaining personnel, he said, were later employed by the Ghana Health Service despite the expiration of their clearances.

The Minority argued that funds for the recruitment were already available, questioning the rationale behind the Health Minister’s decision to seek Cabinet approval for payments to the affected workers.

He asked, “Why didn’t the government see the need to seek an extension? Money was allocated for 15,000; you came in 7,000, and almost 8,000 have started. The remaining were employed by GHS. Albeit they were late, they were at post.

“You didn’t see the need to tell the institutions to reject them. Neither did the institutions tell you to reject them. What it meant was that they filled the gap and needed to be at post, and the institutions used them. Embarrassingly enough, you’re saying that you have taken it to the cabinet for approval. What sort of cabinet approval do you need when you have clearance already?”

Dr. Afriyie further accused the government of attempting to conceal what he described as “a mess” in the management of health sector employment issues.

“He’s throwing dust into the eyes of the people. The government created a mess, and they have seen that ten months have caught up with them, and they are fixing it,” he claimed.

The Minority reiterated that the Health Minister’s comments were misleading and urged him to provide the public with accurate information regarding the status of financial clearances and arrears payments for health professionals.

Source: Adomonline

Speaking during the courtesy visit by the family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo to his office on Monday, October 13, Mr Bagbin confirmed that indeed an NPP MP had crossed party lines to support his bid for Speaker, but clarified that it was not Adwoa Safo.

“I call her my daughter because when I came to Parliament, she was a small girl. So, I began calling her my daughter before she even joined politics and entered Parliament. But we belong to different political traditions,” the Speaker said.

He explained that his personal bond with Adwoa Safo might have caused the widespread assumption that she was the one who broke ranks to vote for him.

“Because she is my daughter and we love each other, when I was contesting to be Speaker, they thought she voted for me,” he clarified.

Mr. Bagbin’s remarks bring closure to a rumour that has trailed Adwoa Safo’s political career for years and stirred tension within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the razor-thin Speaker election in January 2021.

Source: Adomonline

ALSO READ:

• Adwoa Safo clears air on voting against Mike Oquaye

• Speaker Bagbin breaks silence on Adwoa Safo’s absence [Listen]

In a statement issued by the Office of the Speaker, Bagbin indicated that the session will start at 2:00 p.m. at Parliament House in Accra. The notice, signed by the Speaker, was issued in line with Order 58 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The announcement comes after an earlier notice on October 6, 2025, had postponed the original start date.

The upcoming session will see Members of Parliament return from recess to deliberate on key national issues, including pending bills, motions, and government policy statements.

Source: Adomonline

ALSO READ:

• Parliament upgrades MPs’ chairs ahead of deferred recall

• Galamsey: L.I. 2501 to be laid in Parliament to revoke L.I. 2462 – A-G

Read the full statement below:

The new chairs are part of efforts to modernize the Chamber and improve working conditions for legislators.

Each workstation has been redesigned to make parliamentary duties more efficient and reduce the dependence on paper-based processes.

Parliamentary sources say the initiative is also intended to promote the adoption of digital tools, enhance information access, and cut operational costs associated with printing voluminous documents for MPs during sittings.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, who had earlier announced the recall, has deferred the commencement of the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session “until further notice.”

It remains unclear what has led to the deferment, as no official explanation has been provided to the media.

Parliament was initially scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, October 14.

However, in an official notice issued on Monday, October 6, the Speaker explained that the postponement was due to circumstances beyond his control.

“I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, hereby give notice that the commencement of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic is deferred until further notice due to circumstances beyond my control,” the notice stated.

The Speaker further assured that communication will be made once the circumstances necessitating the delay are resolved.

Over the past weeks, the Committee has been meeting with officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies to address irregularities highlighted in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report.

On Wednesday, October 1, Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei-Asare, credited the milestone to strong cooperation with the Auditor-General’s office, stressing that accountability remains central to their work.

“One thing I am clear about is that what we are doing is yielding positive results. We have a report we will look at. Per the work of the Public Accounts Committee, and with the support of the Auditor-General, we have been able to retrieve GH¢12.9 billion. There is a whole report on that which we will be sharing with the public at the right time,” she said.

The Committee is scheduled to reconvene on October 27, 2025.

Source :Adomonline

This directive follows findings in the Auditor-General’s Report which revealed that Mr. Muniru continued to validate the salary of Abdul Hakeem Iddrisu, an officer who had abandoned his post.

Per the report, Abdul-Hakeem Iddrisu was absent for 109 working days between March and August 2024, despite receiving two queries from his immediate supervisor over his absenteeism.

However, the HR Deputy Head still went ahead to authorise salary payments, a decision the Committee described as a blatant violation of financial regulations and administrative procedures.

He has been given 90 days to refund the said amount.

During the sitting on Wednesday, October 1, the Committee Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, said, “You knew he wasn’t at work, his supervisor had written a query that had been raised, and yet you kept paying him. All these things were brought to your attention, yet the validator kept validating,” she complained.

The Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, also stated, “Madam, we will make it simple; whoever did the validation will pay GHC31,847.00 as ruled. Auditors make sure that the person pays. He’s in the office, he’s probably watching us; he has to pay GHC31,847.00, and we’re giving him 90 days to pay this amount,” he said.

Source : Ohene Amponsah 

In a notice issued on September 29, 2025, the Speaker stated that proceedings will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Parliament House in Accra.

This is in accordance with Order 58 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The meeting is expected to consider key legislative business, including bills, motions, and reports referred to the House during previous sittings.

Source: AdomOnline

READ ALSO:

• Appointees pushing for presidency now will face strong condemnation – Mustapha Gbande
• Follow party laws before demanding action – Justin Kodua to Ken Agyapong’s campaign team
• Veep Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to tour Ashanti Region, engage market traders and Asantehene

Speaking to journalists after a monitoring visit to the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), the Energy Commission, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the Ho West MP stressed that tariff hikes must be justified with evidence, not external pressure.

Mr. Bedzrah noted that widespread commercial losses remain a major concern, citing meters distributed in rural areas that have not yet been captured in the national grid for billing.

“If you add up all those meters into the collection of the revenue as tariff, I believe that we will not get to that 225 percent that we’re looking at,” he said. He further pointed to illegal power connections and weak internal collection systems as major leakages.

“We think that it is high time now they begin to look at how much they collect and how they can collect the revenues that are due to them,” he added, stressing that any call for higher tariffs must be preceded by concrete measures to plug these gaps.

While acknowledging the need for new investments in the sector, Mr. Bedzrah questioned why Ghana already pays the highest electricity tariffs in the sub-region, despite exporting power to neighbouring countries such as Benin.

He also raised alarms over illegal mining (galamsey) undermining electricity infrastructure, warning that excavation around high-voltage pylons could lead to fatal accidents and nationwide blackouts.

The committee plans to present a comprehensive report to Parliament for debate, which will guide any decision on the upcoming multi-year tariff review.

“We are the representatives of the people. We cannot sit down for any rate to be bundled at us. We need to know what exactly it entails and if we are going to be in the same alignment or the same price range with our neighbours,” Mr. Bedzrah affirmed.

GRIDCo’s Deputy Chief Executive for Engineering and Operations, Frank Okyere, outlined plans to enhance power transmission through the $353.65 million Eastern Corridor Project. The initiative will expand and upgrade substations and construct new transmission lines across the Volta, Bono East, Oti, Savannah, and Northern Regions.

He explained that feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and resettlement compensation are currently underway, with construction expected to begin in 2027. He urged expedited financial clearance under the Public Financial Management Act to fast-track the project and highlighted threats from illegal mining and encroachment, stressing proactive planning for renewable energy integration.

At the Energy Commission, Executive Secretary Eunice A. Biritwum said Ghana was steadily advancing its energy transition, despite the 2070 target being ambitious. She highlighted ongoing solar, wind, and hybrid projects, including VRA’s wind-solar initiatives and the 12,000-installation scheme with battery storage. She called for stronger support for local industries to drive renewable energy growth and sustainability.

The Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr. Shafic Suleman, told the Committee that his outfit had tightened oversight of power-sector revenues through the cash waterfall mechanism and the consolidation of ECG’s 80 accounts into a single holding account.

He identified the absence of a regulatory framework for clean drinking water as a major national gap, urging lawmakers to pass a Clean Water Act. He also outlined ongoing tariff reviews, clarified that IMF requirements do not mandate automatic increases, and highlighted challenges with streetlight maintenance, industrial gas subsidies, and the need for stronger stakeholder engagement nationwide.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Speaking on Channel One, Mr. Ofosu admitted that he once underestimated the weight of the role until he assumed office himself.

“I must indicate that contesting and running for MP has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I used to underestimate the kind of stress that MPs come under,” he said.

According to him, MPs face immense pressure from the public because they are the most visible and approachable representatives in their constituencies.

“They are the face of the constituencies. They are the ones that people know. So people go to them with all manner of requests that stretch them to their limits,” he explained.

Mr. Ofosu further stressed that MPs are frequently judged too harshly, despite the enormous responsibilities they shoulder beyond lawmaking.

“Sometimes I think that we’ve been unfair to MPs, the way we criticise them, because they go through a lot,” he added.

Source: Adomonline

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Mr. Dafeamekpor described such proposals as “illogical,” stressing that no instrument can override an entrenched constitutional provision.

“No process can succeed because any instrument, whether a legislative or constitutional instrument, that will amplify the procedure under 146 cannot vary, deviate, or depart from what is already captured in concrete under 146. The clamour for an instrument that will depart from what the constitution provides is an illogical reasoning because the instrument will be a derivative of what the constitution provides. It can only mirror and give flesh to what the constitution stipulates, it cannot depart from it,” he argued.

He, however, admitted that supplementary rules could be introduced to enhance the existing process without altering its core.

“You can only add flesh to it, for instance, when they say prima facie determination must be made, pursuant to the decision in the Agyei Twum versus Attorney-General case, then maybe a timeline would be provided. But you can’t say that a prima facie determination can’t take place,” he clarified.

His comments come amid renewed public debate after President John Dramani Mahama, acting under Article 146, removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. The decision has fueled calls for reforms to tighten the process, with critics arguing that the current framework appears more flexible compared to procedures for removing the heads of the other two arms of government.

Source: Adomonline

Appearing before the committee were the Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Malik Basintale; the agency’s Finance Director, Benjamin Otto, its internal auditor and officials from the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

High rent

At the centre of the hearing was a rent agreement between YEA and K&A Developers Limited, the private managers of the Olympic House, which houses the agency. According to the Auditor-General’s report, the YEA’s expenditure on rent and service charges rose from GH¢3.2 million in 2023 to GH¢5.5 million in 2024—a 72.65 per cent increase.

Committee members questioned why the agency continued to pay such high amounts without seeking cheaper accommodation.

The chairperson of the committee, Abena Osei-Asare, described the increment as “unacceptable,” emphasising that no negotiations were conducted before agreeing to the charges.

Mr Basintale explained that the Works and Housing Ministry had transferred management of the property to K&A Developers, compelling YEA to pay rent to the private managers.

He, however, conceded that the arrangement was draining state resources and disclosed that the agency was in talks with the Chief of Staff to secure a permanent office to eliminate rent costs.

The committee flagged the infraction for further investigation, specifically the role of the Ministry of Works and Housing in the transfer of  the state’s property to be managed by a private entity.

Pensions, unearned salaries

Beyond the rent controversy, YEA was cited for failing to remit over GH¢1.7 million in Social Security and pension contributions on salary arrears between January and July 2024.

The Finance Director, however, told the committee that the arrears had since been cleared, with receipts submitted to both SSNIT and GLICO. The auditors confirmed the payments.

The agency was also queried for paying unearned salaries amounting to GH¢161,222 to 26 staff, some of whom had vacated their posts. While 15 of the affected staff remain at post, YEA admitted it had written to the rest to refund the respective sums and pledged to refer non-compliant cases to the police.

The members of PAC, unimpressed with the slow pace of recovery, threatened to hold management personally liable if the sums were not retrieved.

In another development, the agency paid GH¢37,413 in unearned salaries to its Nkwanta South Municipal Director, Felix Owusu Gyimah, after he assumed the role of Municipal Chief Executive.

YEA has since agreed to deduct the amount from his salary in installments, though the committee insisted that the refund should include interest.

Other infractions, Reforms

Additional queries included the wrongful payment of GH¢21,000 in allowances to seven officers who had abandoned their posts in Tuobodom and withholding tax shortfalls on rent payments to private facility managers.

Mr Basintale assured the committee that internal control systems were being strengthened, with training for district directors and monitoring officers, to prevent future lapses.

He also acknowledged challenges in beneficiary validation and promised reforms to reduce the burden on staff, particularly for those who travelled long distances for monthly verification.

“When I took over, we realised that we had inherited assets and liabilities.

It was in our interest to streamline the processes at the YEA… There are the new reforms we’ve brought on board, and we shall ensure that they are strictly adhered to,” he said.

Source: Graphic.com

ALSO READ:

• PAC orders arrest of absconded Energy Ministry geologist

• PAC orders head of Civil Service to refund GH¢175,000

ALSO READ:

• Minority dismisses Ato Forson’s claim on road project funds as false

• Atwima Nwabiagya South MP pushes for completion of abandoned roads

According to the Auditor-General’s report, Ms. Gyan was granted a study leave with pay amounting to over GH₵120,000, with the agreement that she would return to serve her bond term.

However, the report revealed that she failed to return and has since vacated her post.

PAC members, visibly displeased, ordered her immediate arrest and repayment of the funds.

“Our checks show that she left the country about more than a year ago… we are told she has gone to the US,” an official from the Energy Ministry responded after queries during the PAC sitting.

The Ranking Member on the Public Accounts Committee, Samuel Atta Mills, insisted that the police and the Foreign Affairs Ministry must be engaged.

“Get the police involved. We cannot; the government cannot pay for people to go for study leave and then when they finish, they abscond. That is not fair,” he said.

He added that the guarantor who signed for her must also be held accountable.

“If you are going to guarantee for somebody, make sure that person is going to pay. That is what we call corruption. It’s not only when you hear ‘corruption’ that it is a politician. Is that man a politician? Is he a member of parliament? Is he a government appointee? Look at what he is doing,” he remarked, directing the police to visit the guarantor’s residence for further action.

The committee has given the ministry 30 days to provide an update on the matter.

Source: Clara Seshie

ALSO READ:

• PAC orders head of Civil Service to refund GH¢175,000

• Unearned Salaries: PAC interrogates Foreign Affairs Ministry over financial irregularities

The committee members expressed displeasure at his absence and that of the Council of State administrators, describing it as a major setback to ongoing public hearings into the Auditor-General’s reports.

The Chief Director had been scheduled to provide crucial clarifications on queries raised against the Office of Government Machinery.

Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei Asare, underscored the importance of punctuality by principal officers, stressing that their presence is vital for accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Ranking Member on the Committee, Samuel Atta Mills, initially told members that the committee would suspend sitting for an hour after receiving feedback that the officials were on their way.

When the Head of Administration in Human Resources at the Council of State and the Council’s accountant, Abdul Tahiru, eventually arrived, the sitting resumed.

Asked why he had delayed proceedings, the Head of Administration, Valentine Maayir, explained that he had been attending to some urgent tasks at the office which took longer than expected.

“Honourable Chair, a new Acting Executive Secretary has been appointed to the Council of State, and I needed to clear some issues with him before I leave.”

He added that if he had known the activity, which had a deadline from ‘superiors,’ would extend beyond 9 am, he would not have engaged in it and apologised.

But Samuel Atta-Mills would have none of that, insisting in a fiery tone that “deeply sorry, is a different thing altogether.”

“Why didn’t you respond? Why did you think that the new Executive Secretary [to the Council of State] was more important than the Parliament of Ghana?”

The Chief Director responded that “we acknowledge that the Executive Secretary to the Council of State is not more important than members of this August committee.”

The committee accepted his explanation but firmly directed him to prioritise punctuality and ensure full cooperation at subsequent hearings.

Abena Osei Asare told him that “you should know better.”

Before that, Chief Director of the Office of Government Machinery, Alhaji Abubakar Wayo, who was also late, was rebuked.

Chairperson Abena Owusu Asare expressed deep resentment at the action of the officers, chiding both the Chief Director and the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency for not taking the committee seriously.

“Please take the Public Accounts Committee seriously! Dr. Wayo has been in this system for God knows when. You are supposed to appear here with your head – and the letter we wrote to you was very clear. Wherever he is, he has to come for us to continue with the proceedings. Because that is part of his mandate as a Chief Director.

Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko

ALSO READ:

• Unearned Salaries: PAC interrogates Foreign Affairs Ministry over financial irregularities

• Communications Ministry faces PAC grilling again over unsatisfactory answers

In a rebuttal video, the legislator appeared calm and at ease, speaking from his bed as he addressed the allegations.

“There are people who ignore all the positive things I have been doing. Instead, they focus on spreading lies and wishing me ill,” he stated.

Mr. Frimpong also played a WhatsApp voice note allegedly from a female teacher in his constituency who seemed delighted by the false news of his supposed arrest — a reaction he described as deeply shocking.

Mr. Frimpong is an independent candidate serving his first term after winning the 2024 general elections.

He defeated New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP and lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi with a wide margin of 26,926 votes against the latter’s 8,933 votes.

Source: Adomonline.com

ALSO READ:

• Ohene Frimpong receives special honour from late Kwadwo Baah Wiredu’s family

• Asante Akyem North MP speaks Twi in Parliament [Video]

The committee announced that key officials, including the Chief Director and Head of Finance, will be summoned to present all documents related to certain disputed payments.

The hearing, chaired by Abena Osei Asare, MP for Atiwa East, with Samuel Atta Mills, MP for Komenda as Ranking Member, allowed lawmakers to scrutinise the ministry’s operations in full view of the public.

The session followed the legislative process after the Auditor-General’s report was laid before Parliament and referred to the Committee for detailed examination.

Such hearings allow government entities to clarify their positions while enabling the committee to interrogate issues thoroughly.

The PAC emphasised its focus on ensuring value for every cedi authorised by Parliament in 2024 and boosting public confidence in Ghana’s financial management systems.

Officials present from the Ministry of Communications included Alfred Nortey, Director-General of Administration; Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, Acting Deputy Director-General of NITA; and Mohammed Adams Sukparu, Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation.

During the session, a member of the committee, Manhyia North MP Akwasi Konadu, asked about the non-payment of government-advised yearly advances.

He noted that the government of Ghana, through the ministry, entered into a contract with Lebara Ghana Limited, later transferred to Smart Afraco Limited, for the e-government infrastructure project operational since 2020.

The contract stipulated advance payments of $2 million in 2020 and $2 million annually from 2021 to 2024, amounting to a total of $6 million.

None of these payments has been made to date.

Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor responded, saying, “Straight to your answer, for now none or nothing has been covered. In terms of action we have taken since I took over in March 2025, we have written a letter, number NITA/SIL/25/04/15, on April 15, 2025, requesting all the arrears, including this year’s obligation so far.

“They responded, refuting this amount, and we referred the matter to the ministry. The ministry agrees with us and has referred the matter to the Attorney-General. Thank you.”

After a series of unsatisfactory responses, Ranking Member Samuel Atta Mills said, “Clerk, let’s flag this one. We will invite the Chief Director and Head of Finance to come and meet this Committee, and they need to bring all relevant documents from the time of the payments. So we will move on with this.”

Source: Myjoyonline

ALSO READ:

• Gov’t probing allegations of ‘vanishing data’ – Communications Ministry

• Give us power to prosecute – Public Accounts Committee to govt

He said the true aim of politics is to bring citizens together around shared aspirations, not to create discord.

Mr. Bagbin made these remarks on Monday, August 11, 2025, when he led a delegation of parliamentary leaders to the home of the late Alhaji Mohammed Muniru, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, to commiserate with his family.

Alhaji Muniru was among eight prominent public officials who perished in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, while on their way to Obuasi for an official anti-illegal mining operation.

His burial, alongside that of Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, took place on Sunday, August 10, in accordance with Islamic traditions.

The Speaker said the visit was to honour the memory of the late national security official, who was widely admired for his commitment to public service. He encouraged the bereaved family to draw strength from faith and the legacy Alhaji Muniru left behind.

“Once again, let us in this grief not forget the power of the almighty God; all works for our good, and we will continue to thank him for these precious lives and the service they rendered to us, and we pray they find an eternal good place for them to stay until we meet again,” he said.

Mr. Bagbin described the late Muniru as a selfless leader who rose above political divides in service to the nation. He appealed to political leaders and citizens alike to embrace unity, mutual respect, and cooperation in diversity.

“In the same way, we are also here as leaders so we can add our voice to talk to the people. Whatever differences we have, it is the creation of God; we’re all created differently,” he said, adding that politics should be about harmonising differences for the public good.

“It’s God who created us different. And that is what politics is about—how you get that difference to work together in unity… not to divide us, not to let us hate each other.”

The delegation included Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei, and Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor. They also offered condolences and praised the late Muniru’s dedication to the country.

The Speaker’s call comes as the nation continues to mourn the loss of distinguished leaders, whose service, he said, should inspire a renewed commitment to unity and shared purpose.

Source: Alfred Ayidzoe

ALSO READ:

• Speaker Bagbin calls for legislature to lead compilation of next constitution

• I’d rather lose my life than accept LGBTQ+ practices in Ghana – Speaker Bagbin

The Hansard, which is a verbatim report of parliamentary debates, is normally handled by a special unit within even parliament.

Speaking at the opening of the 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region in Accra on Monday, [August 11, 2025], Mr Bagbin warned that Parliament’s official records risk distortion in the digital age, as fake news and advanced technology make it easier to alter the words of leaders.

He said manipulated images and videos could misrepresent parliamentary debates if reporting officers are not adequately equipped.

“As I speak today, somebody can take my picture as I stand before you, change what I am communicating, and use a different language,” he said.

“With how my mouth is opening and closing, they will match it in such a way that anybody listening will believe this is what the Speaker said at this conference. That is a serious threat.”

Mr Bagbin stressed that parliamentary language is different from everyday English and must be shielded from distortion.

He called for more investment in the official reporting department, noting that the Hansard must remain accurate, timely, and relevant in the face of digital manipulation.

“Whatever we do will come to nothing without accurate official records,” he told participants from across the continent, adding that the weakness of democracy in Africa is linked to the weakness of its parliamentary institutions.

The four-day conference, hosted in Accra, has brought together Hansard editors from Commonwealth African countries to discuss innovation, skills development, and the future of official parliamentary reporting.

Source: Graphic.com

ALSO READ:

• Parliamentary press corps mourns ‘deeply personal’ loss of helicopter tragedy victims

• Parliament approves landmark Social Protection Bill

In a statement signed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the Caucus described the incident as a national tragedy and expressed profound sorrow over the loss.

“It is with a deeply broken heart and profound sorrow that I, on behalf of the Parliamentary Caucus, extend my deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of our colleagues and distinguished patriotic Ghanaians,” the statement read.

The Majority Caucus paid glowing tribute to the victims, lauding their dedication, patriotism, and service to the nation. It noted that their sudden passing leaves a significant void in Parliament, government, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the country at large.

“Their sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to duty will forever be etched in the history of our Republic. May their souls rest in peace,” it added.

The victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to the Ashanti Region when the aircraft went off radar.

Those confirmed dead in the crash include:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

• Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; MP for Tamale Central

• Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Dr. Samuel Sarpong – NDC Vice Chairman

• Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala – Pilot

• Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu – Co-pilot

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – Crew Member