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The Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament has come to a conclusion as Parliament has adjourned sine die for the Christmas break.
In his closing remarks, which First Deputy Speaker Benard Ahiafor read on his behalf, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin voiced worry about incidents of unruly conduct that were observed during the session’s deliberations.
He urged Members of Parliament to maintain decency, discipline, and constructive democratic involvement while denouncing disruptive situations on the floor.
Speaking to the House on Friday, December 19, he said that the session was hard but fruitful and that MPs would be able to take care of other constitutional and constituency tasks over the break.
The Speaker reviewed the House’s performance and noted that it had successfully reconstituted its Standing and Select Committees, examined and operationalised several Legislative Instruments, considered 14 Bills and passed 7, and responded to over 100 parliamentary questions.
In order to improve governance and parliamentary supervision, he continued, the House also backed statutory fund disbursement formulas for 2026, approved significant petroleum agreements, tax exemptions, immigration waivers, and international treaties, and conducted comprehensive committee referrals and policy reviews.
The discussion and presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, which was accompanied by a post-budget workshop to improve MPs’ comprehension, was a significant highlight.
Citing his election as President of APNAC, President of the IPU’s African Geopolitical Group, and his appointment to the IPU Task Force on the Russia-Ukraine conflict as examples of the world’s faith in Ghana’s parliamentary leadership, the Speaker also praised Parliament’s increasing global influence.
He wished all Ghanaians a peaceful holiday season and thanked the Parliamentary Leadership, the Clerk, the staff, and the Parliamentary Press Corps.
Mahama Ayariga, the majority leader, defended the use of the certificate of urgency in parliamentary business, rejecting accusations of misuse and maintaining that it is still a valid tool for government.
He underlined that the system allows Parliament to react quickly to urgent national issues without undermining discussion or minority involvement.
Ayariga reaffirmed Parliament’s dedication to accountability and combating corruption, emphasising that keeping public officials accountable for their stewardship promotes democracy rather than intimidation.
The 2026 Budget, important taxation and economic recovery bills, petroleum revenue management measures, education reforms, the Ghana Sports Fund Bill, and the legislation to legalise commercial motorbike operations (Okada), pending full implementation procedures, were among the significant milestones he highlighted.
In his statement, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin rejected attempts to contest his legality at the ECOWAS Parliament, stating that he will fulfil his entire mandate through April 2028.
He stressed that his status as a Member and Third Deputy Speaker cannot be arbitrarily revoked and insisted that the ECOWAS Parliament had rejected attempts to remove him.
Afenyo-Markin expressed gratitude to Parliament for its support and promised to continue serving the regional legislature as well as Ghana’s Parliament.
Parliament has already adjourned for the Christmas break, and the next session is scheduled to begin in late January.
Source: newsthemegh.com
