Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has indicated that he will admit a motion filed by the Minority seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the reported losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).
However, he has ruled that the motion cannot be debated during Parliament’s ongoing emergency sitting, saying the House was recalled for specific business outlined by President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Bagbin disclosed this on Monday after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin raised concerns over the reported GH¢22 billion, equivalent to about US$1.7 billion, linked to the DGPP.
The Speaker said the motion, which was received at his office on August 21, 2026, had been reviewed and would be admitted for consideration at the appropriate time.
He explained that Parliament needed to examine the matter to help establish whether the reported amount should properly be classified as a loss or a cost associated with the government’s gold purchasing policy.
Mr Bagbin said Parliament’s eventual consideration of the issue would allow Ghanaians to assess the arguments and evidence presented by both sides.
He stressed, however, that the motion could not be included in the business of the current emergency sitting.
According to the Speaker, President Mahama’s request for the recall of Parliament was specifically to deal with three identified matters, and the House must restrict itself to those issues during the one-week sitting.
He therefore directed the Table Office to ensure that no new business was introduced during the emergency session.
“We will not do any new business,” the Speaker said, adding that there would be no Question Time or statements during the sitting.
Mr Bagbin explained that the Minority’s motion was filed after Parliament had already been recalled, making it impossible for the House to consider it during the current session.
He said the motion would instead be dealt with when Parliament resumes its normal business.
The Speaker also rejected any suggestion that Parliament would seek to shield the GoldBod issue from public scrutiny.
He said Parliament was committed to transparency and had taken steps to make its proceedings more open, including its participation in the Open Government Partnership.
Mr Bagbin said both the Majority and Minority had demonstrated their willingness to explain their positions on the GoldBod controversy, and Parliament would provide an avenue for the matter to be properly examined.
He further referred to Parliament’s Standing Orders, particularly Order 59, Rules 2 and 3, which provide a procedure for recalling the House when it is on recess.
According to him, such a recall could be organised within a few days after the required consultations with parliamentary leadership.
He stressed, however, that the procedure could not be used to introduce the GoldBod motion into the current emergency sitting because Parliament was already in session.
For now, the House will concentrate on the three matters for which President Mahama requested the emergency sitting, while the Minority’s motion on the reported DGPP losses awaits consideration at a later stage.
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