In a letter dated March 30, 2026, addressed to the Secretary to the President at the Jubilee House, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, confirmed the submission of nine certified copies of each bill passed by the House.

The bills include the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025; the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill, 2025; the Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Clerk requested that the President signify his assent to the bills in accordance with Article 106(7) of the 1992 Constitution.

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The warning follows Afenyo-Markin’s sharp critique of Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, during parliamentary proceedings on the Governance Advisory Council Bill, 2025.

Tensions arose when Dr Ayensu-Danquah moved a motion for the bill to be read a second time.

“I move that the Governance Advisory Council Bill 2025 be now read a second time,” she said.

Afenyo-Markin immediately challenged the motion, questioning her approach on the floor.

“We want to understand what is happening in this chamber. We want to know if this House is no longer a House of procedure. What did the Deputy Minister of Health just do? Move the motion to what effect? If the Majority wants someone to do it, they should teach the person to do it the right way,” he said.

In response, Mahama Ayariga described the comments as part of a pattern of attacks on Dr Ayensu-Danquah and urged the Minority Leader to desist.

“This attitude of always attacking this particular Member of Parliament must stop. At every opportunity, he tries to attack her. Mr Speaker, what is the meaning of this? Is there something we need to know? To always attack her the way you do is not fair,” Ayariga stated.

Despite the heated exchanges, Parliament passed the Governance Advisory Council Bill, 2025. The legislation aims to strengthen accountable governance by promoting collaboration among institutions, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and providing strategic policy guidance.

The Council will also support evidence-based decision-making, monitor governance performance, and promote transparency and participatory democracy in Ghana.

He lamented the persistent lateness, and absenteeism and urged MPs to bury these conducts with Christ, praying for renewed zeal to serve the nation upon resurrection.

Mr. Bagbin, however, commended the MPs for their dedication, saying, their “sacrificial sweat continues to irrigate the gardens of parliamentary democracy.”

He also urged MPs to reconnect with constituents during the Easter break, gathering perspectives to guide future work.

The Session saw the passage of key Bills, including the Legal Education Bill, and approval of financial disbursement formulas for 2026.

Pending Bills, such as the Parliamentary Transition Bill, await further consideration.

Mr. Bagbin praised the Clerk to Parliament, Parliamentary Service Staff, and media for supporting Parliament’s work, saying their efforts “bring Parliament closer to the people.”

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Parliament reconvened for the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Fourth Republic.

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The proposed committee was expected to examine the scheme’s design, implementation, governance structure, financial performance, as well as its environmental and public health implications.

The motion was sponsored by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase-Ayirebi and Ranking Member on the Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; the MP for Manso Nkwanta, Tweneboah Kodua Fokuo; the MP for Weija/Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib; the MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah; and the MP for Offinso South, Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah.

It was formally moved by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and seconded by the MP for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare.

However, following a prolonged debate on the floor, the House rejected the motion by a voice vote, with the Speaker declining a request by the Minority Leader to conduct a secret ballot.

Case for the probe

Arguing in favour of the motion, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the gold purchasing initiative was intended to bring economic relief to Ghanaians but had instead resulted in significant financial losses.

He said the programme should not become a vehicle for draining public resources at a time when citizens were grappling with economic hardship.

According to him, within the first nine months of the operations of the Gold Board, an estimated $214 million had been lost.

“In this Parliament, the sovereign custodian of national interest is entitled, indeed, to know the charges that are going into individual pockets. Mr Speaker, it is my contention that this is a golden betrayal…,” he said.

He further argued that Parliament had both the authority and responsibility to investigate such matters under Article 103 of the Constitution.

“Mr Speaker, that provision exists precisely for moments like this. When a public institution entrusted with a strategic national resource has allegedly failed to catastrophically ensure that it protects public funds. Parliament must intervene,” he said.

He added that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report had flagged concerns about the scheme, indicating that the Bank of Ghana recorded losses of $214 million within nine months.

Majority pushes back

In response, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, criticised the motion and questioned the commitment of its sponsors, noting that some had failed to appear in the House to support the debate.

He argued that Parliament was not mandated to investigate such schemes in the manner proposed and described the Minority’s arguments as weak.

Mr Ayariga also maintained that the Gold-for-Reserves initiative was not designed as a profit-making venture but rather as a strategic policy tool.

“Gold for Reserves is designed as a mechanism for enabling us to harness the opportunities that exist in our domestic gold production, to create reserves and deal with macroeconomic issues where we will actually make the profits.

“When you design a system like that, there would be a cost because you do not want gold miners to sell to smugglers,” he said.

He explained that the costs associated with incentivising miners to sell through official channels could be recorded as losses in the short term but were part of a broader economic strategy.

The rejection of the motion means the proposed parliamentary inquiry will not proceed, leaving the debate over the performance and accountability of the Gold-for-Reserves programme unresolved.

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The Bill responds to growing concerns about inefficiencies in public expenditure, project cost overruns, delays in implementation, and weak monitoring systems.

By granting statutory authority to conduct value-for-money assessments, Parliament has taken a decisive step towards enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public financial management.

When the bill is assented by the president, it will fill a critical gap in Ghana’s accountability framework, which has traditionally focused on financial and compliance audits under the Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) and the oversight powers of the Auditor-General as provided in Article 187 of the 1992 Constitution.

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These mechanisms, while important, have largely emphasized procedural compliance rather than evaluating whether public funds achieve value for money.

The new legislation empowers the Office to undertake systematic evaluations of government programmes and projects to determine whether resources are being utilised economically, efficiently, and effectively.

The legislation, which contains 67 clauses, provides for the establishment of the Office, its objects, and core functions.

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It also introduces a digital management platform to facilitate real-time monitoring of projects, enhance data accuracy, and support analytical reporting.

The Committee on Finance, however, cautioned against duplication of existing systems and stressed the need for interoperability with national databases, as well as strong cybersecurity safeguards.

In line with international best practices, the Value-for-Money Office mirrors similar frameworks in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Slovakia and the United States of America.

Its establishment underscores Ghana’s commitment to strengthening fiscal discipline, improving service delivery outcomes, and ensuring transparency in the use of public funds.

The Committee emphasized that while the Office will enjoy financial autonomy, it must remain subject to strict reporting standards and periodic audits to safeguard accountability.

It further recommended clear procedural safeguards for assessments, including notice requirements, timelines, and reporting obligations, to prevent jurisdictional overlap with other oversight institutions.

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The legislation, now awaiting assent from John Dramani Mahama, effectively brings an end to the long-held exclusivity of the Ghana School of Law in providing professional legal education. It opens the door for accredited universities across the country to offer such training.

At the heart of the new law is the creation of a Council for Legal Education and Training. This body will oversee and regulate legal education nationwide, ensuring uniform standards and harmonised curricula. Universities that receive accreditation from the Council will be authorised to run the Law Practice Training Course, with graduates proceeding to sit for a National Bar Examination.

Addressing the House, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga framed the development as a key policy delivery by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“As has been typical of the NDC, promises made are delivered. We promised law students reforms that ensure equity, fairness, and access to legal education, and today, we have delivered,” he stated.

On the other side of the aisle, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the importance of the reform but pressed the government to follow through on other commitments made to the public.

He noted that while the passage of the bill is significant, many Ghanaians are still expecting progress on other major promises.

The new law signals a decisive move toward decentralising legal education in Ghana, expanding access and creating alternative pathways for prospective lawyers beyond the traditional structure of the Ghana School of Law.

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“I am not the traditional MP. I am doing my own thing and not looking at anyone,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, underscoring how his personal ethos defines his public service.

Before entering Parliament, he explained, he mobilised funds and resources independently—often out of pocket or through personal influence via The People’s Project (TPP) initiative. However, he noted that access to the Common Fund has now made his work easier.

“Now, the government gives me the Common Fund and it makes the work easy,” he said. “People say it is not enough, but there are a lot of things that can be done.”

A-Plus, who won the seat as an independent after a long career as a musician and activist, said his transition into Parliament did not come with unexpected challenges, adding that his sense of achievement is not driven by public praise.

“When I got to the House, there are certain things that I am really impressed with, so most of the things don’t come to me as a surprise. I get excited when we are able to help someone get a scholarship to go to school. I don’t want the person to come and thank me—I get excited because naturally God has directed me to help people,” he said.

He emphasised that gratitude from constituents is not his motivation, noting that he is not disappointed when people fail to show appreciation after receiving support.

The MP also made it clear that he has no interest in government contracts or personal enrichment through public office.

“I don’t spend or steal government money, so if someone does that, I will tell the person my mind and the truth. I am not greedy, so I will not even fight with an assemblyman or DCE over a project. I don’t fight over school feeding contracts because I don’t even like government contracts,” he stated.

He described his relationship with local officials as collaborative rather than competitive, citing a recently completed health project as evidence of effective cooperation.

“The DCE was my friend before his appointment. He is a very good guy and doing very well. The DCE and the assembly told me they were going to build a CHPS compound and in three months, they did it. So, I trust them.”

“If I set out to do something, nobody can stop me. Now when people say something, I don’t even take it seriously,” he added.

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Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he explained that his focus is on addressing the needs and priorities of his constituents rather than merely making contributions during parliamentary proceedings.

“Those MPs who talk in Parliament, what do they say?” he asked rhetorically, downplaying the emphasis on speeches. “I want to build the biggest industrial park in Africa. I want to build and be an industrialist.”

The independent MP admitted that the reality of legislative work differed from his initial expectations.

“Before Parliament, I thought we would just go and talk. But when I got there, I realised we just talk, and I don’t have any interest in that. Those who want to talk can go ahead,” he said.

For A-Plus, impact matters more than rhetoric. He stressed his desire to leave a lasting legacy through tangible development.

“I want to leave a legacy I will be remembered for,” he noted, emphasising his focus on real outcomes over political posturing.

He also acknowledged the tension between parliamentary responsibilities and the expectations of constituents.

“I like to take and have an opinion on every issue, but the mandate of the Constitution for an MP and what the people who elected you expect are different. That’s why I follow what is in the Constitution and consider whether it will help me return,” he explained.

“I have seen that my people need jobs, and that is my priority,” he added.

A-Plus’ remarks highlight a shift from the traditional view of MPs as lawmakers primarily engaged in debate, towards a model of public service focused on industrialisation, economic development, and delivering measurable results for constituents.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Obeng explained that he is unconcerned about criticisms over his perceived low participation in parliamentary debates, stressing that talking alone does not drive development.

He noted that his priority is transforming his constituency through job creation and industrial growth, including plans to establish what he describes as the largest industrial park in Africa.

Mr. Obeng added that his initiatives, particularly in youth empowerment and support for women, are already producing tangible results.

He emphasised that his constituents are satisfied with his performance and continue to support his development-focused agenda.

“I don’t worry about people saying that I don’t speak prominently. Before going to Parliament, I thought the focus was on talk, but once I got there, I realized it’s much more than that. I want to build the biggest industrial park in Africa, and talking alone won’t achieve that. I’m not interested in just discussions; I want to be an industrialist.

“The mandate that the constitution gives to an MP is different from what the people who elected you expect. I understand my duties in Parliament, and I see that my community needs jobs—they appreciate the work I’m doing. Everyone in Gomoa is proud of our efforts, and my people are excited about what we are building together. I genuinely don’t care about the opinions of others. My focus is on youth and women’s development. My constituency is one of the few areas that has provided loans to women, and the repayment rate has been 100%. The people trust me,” he stated.

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In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, March 25, Abena Osei-Asare expressed frustration that members were asked to leave a committee meeting under the pretext of urgent government business, only to find that parliamentary sittings had not even begun.

“When you are given opportunity in a very special way, I say in a very special way, looking at the majority of seats that Ghanaians have given to the NDC, you don’t abuse it. I see this clearly as an abuse of their majority. Why do I say so? I thought there was an urgent government business on the floor.

“We closed from the Public Accounts Committee and then went to the chamber, thinking there was urgent government business on the floor. Sittings hadn’t even begun,” the chairperson said.

The PAC chair further explained that while invited officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies were waiting to provide explanations for the audit, members were forced to leave due to quorum issues, delaying the committee’s work.

“Eventually, when the sitting began, we started with statements. Statements are important, but are they so important that we ask people to leave who are here to explain the audit?” she questioned.

The PAC chair insisted the majority was wrong, stating, “Looking at the majority of seats that Ghanaians have given to the NDC, you don’t abuse it. This is how the majority is abusing the trust that Ghanaians have put in them.”

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he argued that the ruling NDC, which holds a commanding majority in Parliament, has sufficient numbers to meet quorum requirements without relying on the Minority.

“For the past three days, the numbers of the Majority MPs have not been encouraging,” he said, noting that with 189 seats, the Majority should easily meet quorum obligations, especially at the committee level.

“You have 189 MPs, and at the PAC, our strength is 24: 6 Minority MPs and 18 Majority MPs. Eighteen out of 189—they can still form a quorum,” he stressed.

Mr. Opoku added that the Majority has ample capacity to sustain committee work if properly mobilised. “They can even run 24-hour shifts in three rotations and still manage,” he remarked.

He said the decision to halt committee proceedings has disrupted critical parliamentary work, particularly the ongoing scrutiny of the Auditor-General’s report. The Committee had been given a two-week timeline to examine the report following a directive from the Finance Ministry.

“So I wonder why such a public interest case… the Majority can use a whip system to stop the process,” he said.

Mr. Opoku further noted that key individuals, including officials nearing retirement, had already been invited to appear before the Committee. However, the Majority’s inability to mobilise its members has stalled the process. “Because of the Majority’s failure to gather their numbers, they decided to stampede the process,” he added.

He rejected claims that heavy parliamentary business in the chamber justified the suspension of committee sittings, noting, “It is not the Auditor-General who asked us to look into the report. It was the Deputy Finance Minister.”

Insisting that quorum requirements do not demand the presence of all MPs, Mr. Opoku argued that the Majority can proceed independently. “You don’t need 276 MPs in a chamber to administer heavy parliamentary business… the NDC can form a quorum with or without the NPP, so what are they talking about?” he questioned.

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The committee will conduct its hearings during Parliament’s recess, running from Monday through Thursday, April 2.

The PAC Chair, in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Wednesday, March 25, indicated that the original three-week deadline for the audit review is not feasible due to delays caused by earlier interruptions in parliamentary proceedings.

The controversy follows the sudden withdrawal of Majority members from a committee sitting, forcing proceedings to be halted in its probe into a special audit report on GH¢68 billion in government arrears.

Madam Osei-Asare stressed that the committee is ready to continue its work and called for full cooperation from all members to ensure transparency and accountability in the audit of public funds.

The audit report, presented to the Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday, 10 March, was submitted by the Ministry of Finance through Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, acting on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.

The report highlights suspected irregularities, falsified records and questionable payment claims relating to GH¢68.7 billion in government arrears and payables as of the end of 2024.

Following its presentation, Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, referred the report to the Public Accounts Committee for detailed examination and directed the committee to conclude its investigation within three weeks.

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His comments come in the wake of disruptions to PAC proceedings following the sudden withdrawal of Majority members from a committee sitting, forcing proceedings to be halted.

Dr. Draman, in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, described the situation as unacceptable, arguing that it reflects poor coordination within Parliament’s administrative structure.

“If there is a clash between committee sittings and plenary, then it simply means that someone has not done their job,” he stated.

According to him, the recurring overlap between committee work and plenary sessions is a fundamental flaw that undermines the effectiveness of Parliament.

He further criticised what he described as a “convenient excuse” often used to justify absenteeism on the floor of the House — that Members of Parliament are attending committee meetings.

“Anytime concerns are raised about low attendance, the explanation is that committees are sitting. But this should not happen in a properly organised Parliament,” he stressed.

Dr. Draman noted that in many established democracies, parliamentary schedules are carefully structured to ensure that committee sittings and plenary sessions do not overlap, allowing MPs to fully participate in both processes.

He emphasised that while plenary proceedings are broadcast and visible to the public, committee work largely happens out of the public eye, making it even more critical that plenary sessions reflect strong attendance and engagement.

The governance expert warned that continued scheduling conflicts risk eroding public confidence in Parliament and damaging its institutional credibility.

“Situations like this suggest that there is more to it than just the explanations being provided. It points to deeper inefficiencies that must be addressed,” he added.

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Concerns have been raised over the low turnout for government business, particularly from the Minority, who have consistently urged the Speaker to address the issue.

Originally scheduled for March 24, 2026, the PAC meeting was rescheduled to allow proceedings to take place. However, as the committee resumed and the plenary chamber was also in session, it became necessary for the Majority side to ensure sufficient numbers to conduct business.

The Majority Whip reportedly directed members of the committee to prioritise proceedings in the chamber, leading to reduced attendance at the committee sitting.

This prompted the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Abena Osei-Asare, to seek guidance from the Speaker, expressing concern over the disruption.

She stressed the need for collaboration between leadership to ensure committees can fulfil their mandates without being affected by quorum challenges.

The PAC is currently investigating about GH₵68 billion in arrears, as well as other accounts maintained by the Accountant General and a forensic audit conducted by the government.

Despite the committee’s work, Majority members reportedly moved to the chamber to participate in urgent government business during the plenary session.

Acting Speaker Bernard Ahiafor has since directed caucus leaders and committee chairpersons to coordinate better to avoid clashes between committee sittings and plenary proceedings.

Under parliamentary practice, at least one-third of members must be present to begin government business, while a two-thirds majority is required for decisions to be made.

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Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 24, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh accused the Majority Leader of offering what he termed “flimsy excuses” for not programming the Minority’s motions, undermining the work of the opposition in the House.

He argued that such actions were not in the spirit of fairness and cooperation necessary for effective parliamentary business.

“The reasons being given are simply not convincing. They are flimsy excuses to avoid bringing our motions to the floor,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh said.

“We have important issues we want Parliament to deliberate on, but they are being deliberately sidelined.”

He further noted that the Minority has consistently demonstrated good faith by supporting the Majority in conducting government business, particularly when the Majority lacked the numbers to push through its agenda.

“We have always cooperated with the Majority when they needed us to transact government business. We have acted in the interest of the country,” he stated.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh called on the Majority Leader to ensure the Minority’s motions are duly programmed for debate, stressing that Parliament must operate on principles of inclusivity and mutual respect.

“Parliament is a House of all of us, and fairness must prevail. Our motions deserve to be heard just as theirs are,” he added.

However, the lawmaker expressed her willingness to accept the position if selected.

“I have not lobbied for any running mate position, but if it comes, I will accept it because I am willing to serve the party. There are more prominent people in the party who can equally support Mahamudu Bawumia to secure power in 2028. It is the prerogative of the party to choose the right person,” she stated in an interview on Akoma FM in Kumasi.

Madam Appiagyei also emphasised the need to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures as part of preparations toward the next elections.

“We are focusing on restructuring the base of the party by registering new members to complement the existing ones for victory in 2028,” she added.

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The legislation, passed on Wednesday, March 18, introduces a number of changes aimed at reshaping Ghana’s national security architecture.

Earlier, on February 19, the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, explained that the decision to revert to the BNI name was meant to address public confusion, as “NIB” is often mistaken for the National Investment Bank.

However, the move faced opposition from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who warned that the reforms could centralise too much authority within the security system and risk undermining civil liberties. He described the issue as politically sensitive.

“A reference to the Bureau of National Investigations, the National Intelligence Bureau or the internal intelligence agency in any enactment or document existing before the coming into force of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the Bureau of National Intelligence.

“A reference to the external intelligence agency in any enactment or document existing before the coming into force of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the Research Department,” he said.

The new law also grants the President the authority to appoint a minister to supervise the National Security Coordinator, effectively removing the need for a standalone Minister for National Security.

In addition, the Bill provides a more detailed legal framework for the work of the National Security Council and formally integrates Regional and District Security Councils to improve coordination across all levels.

It further defines the responsibilities of key institutions tasked with implementing government security policies, addressing both domestic and external threats.

A notable component of the legislation is the formal establishment of the Office of the National Security Coordinator as a central part of the intelligence system, intended to strengthen coordination and improve overall effectiveness.

The Bill also seeks to repeal the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), aligning the legal framework with the government’s current approach to national security reforms.

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Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin made the declaration while addressing executives of the Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) in Parliament on Wednesday, March 18.

He urged party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts, emphasising that electoral victory will depend on discipline, loyalty, and consistent engagement with voters.

“If elections were held today, NPP would be the majority, but that requires hard work and loyalty. We do not doubt that you will take up the mantle,” he stated.

Afenyo-Markin also criticised the current administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on key campaign promises, including the proposed 24-hour economy policy. He pointed to the inability to increase cocoa producer prices and recent utility tariff hikes as evidence of underperformance.

He further called on TESCON members to dismiss claims that the NPP marginalises certain ethnic groups, insisting that the party remains inclusive and committed to representing all Ghanaians.

At the same event, Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Samuel Awuku, reinforced the party’s stance, declaring that the NPP will vigorously contest every seat currently held by the NDC.

“We will be joining our colleagues to storm the campuses. The 2028 election is all play—no NDC seat is safe. We will approach every NDC seat like a normal seat,” he said.

According to the Majority caucus, similar fees paid by applicants who were disqualified during recruitment exercises under the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were not refunded.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Monday, March 16, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, described the Minority’s demand as unfounded, stressing that attention should rather be focused on addressing unemployment among the youth.

“You cannot be discussing refunds now. Let us discuss how we can fix the economy so that jobs can be created for these young people. How can the money be refunded? The young ones are looking for jobs, not the money,” he stated.

Mr. Ayariga further defended the government’s decision to allow about 500,000 applicants to compete for roughly 5,000 available positions, explaining that the approach was intended to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in the recruitment process.

“What we are doing is giving every young person a fair opportunity. We could have simply gone and selected our foot soldiers and given them the jobs the same way the NPP did, but we are not doing that,” he said.

He added that the large number of applicants highlights the scale of unemployment in the country and underscores the need for broader economic reforms to create sustainable jobs for the youth. He also assured that the government remains committed to revitalising the private sector to generate more employment opportunities.

However, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, argued that the Majority’s defence undermines the government’s much-touted reset agenda.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, March 16, the Minister explained that the shortage was caused by a combination of oversubscribed contracts and funding challenges within the sector.

According to him, when the current administration assumed office, there was already a mismatch between approved funding and the value of contracts awarded for meter supplies.

“When we assumed office in 2024, even though the ECG board approved about three billion cedis for contracts, more than nine billion cedis had already been awarded, including for meter supply,” he said, noting that this created a bottleneck in meter delivery.

The Minister further cited the cash waterfall mechanism—which regulates how revenue collected by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is distributed—as another factor that slowed down the supply of meters.

“It means that the revenue ECG was receiving as a portion of its cash waterfall allocation was not enough. So some of these meter manufacturing companies who had been given huge contracts could not meet that demand,” he explained.

To address the situation, the Ministry has increased ECG’s monthly allocation from GHS 300 million to GHS 360 million. The allocation has also been indexed to a percentage of the utility’s total revenue collection to encourage improved revenue mobilisation.

“If ECG wants to collect more than GHS 360 million, they have to work harder, because the more they collect, the more they get,” he said.

Mr. Jinapor assured the public that meters are now entering the system and that distribution will soon pick up, adding that the government is adopting a strategic approach to ensure efficiency and prevent waste.

“We are on course, and the meters will be made available,” he stated.

This is intended to cushion mining firms following roll out of the Minerals and Mining Royalties Regulation, which increase the royalties mining companies when the price of the commodity rises on the international market.

Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Finance Minister, explaining the rationale for reducing the Growth and Sustainability Levy, said when an ounce of gold hits 1900 dollars, mining firms will pay five per cent royalties.

He said if an ounce of gold crosses 2000 dollars, mining firms will pay six per cent royalties and when an ounce of gold exceeds 4,500 dollars, mining firms will pay 12 per cent royalties.

The reduction in the levy, he said, would cater for windfall taxes.

Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu suggested government hold on with the passage of the legislation because the reduction of the levy from 3 to one per cent will not impact positively on mining firms’ finances and expenditure.

The sliding scale royalty’s regime in Ghana’s mining sector ties royalty payments to prevailing commodity prices.

Under this system, mining companies pay higher royalties when gold prices rise and lower rates when prices fall.

While intended to stabilise government revenue, critics argue that it increases operational costs for mining firms during periods of high global prices, thus discouraging investment and threatening job security.

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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.