The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has cautioned Members of Parliament (MPs) against rushing legislation through the House, warning that Parliament will resist the excessive use of suspended Standing Orders to fast-track the passage of Bills without adequate scrutiny.
Mr Bagbin said presiding officers would be reluctant to approve requests for the suspension of parliamentary rules solely to accelerate legislative processes unless the urgency of such requests was clearly justified.
He expressed concern over the increasing practice of suspending parliamentary procedures to facilitate the expedited consideration and approval of Bills, describing it as a growing issue that requires immediate attention.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the opening of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament in Accra, the Speaker stressed that suspending Standing Orders should remain an exceptional measure rather than become a routine approach to parliamentary business.
He acknowledged that exceptional circumstances could sometimes require Parliament to suspend specific rules to address urgent national matters. However, he insisted that such provisions must not undermine the established legislative process.
Bagbin Emphasises Importance of Parliamentary Scrutiny
According to the Speaker, the various stages of the legislative process are essential safeguards designed to ensure that proposed laws receive thorough examination before being passed.
He explained that parliamentary procedures give MPs sufficient time to scrutinise Bills, identify potential legal and constitutional challenges, and recommend amendments where necessary.
Mr Bagbin maintained that the credibility of Ghana’s Parliament as a law-making institution depends not simply on the number of laws passed but also on their quality, consistency and compliance with the Constitution.
He further revealed that rushing Bills through Parliament had, in some instances, resulted in drafting errors being identified after the Third Reading.
Such mistakes have occasionally forced the House to rescind decisions already taken to make the necessary corrections.
Although parliamentary rules allow MPs to revisit previous decisions under appropriate circumstances, he warned that this provision should not replace proper legislative examination.
The Speaker consequently urged lawmakers to avoid measuring parliamentary efficiency solely by how quickly Bills are approved.
Ministers Urged to Submit Bills Early
To improve the quality of parliamentary work, Mr Bagbin called on parliamentary leadership to collaborate closely with ministers and chief executives of state institutions to ensure that government Bills and other legislative proposals are submitted early enough for consideration.
He also urged ministers and their technical teams to remain available to assist parliamentary committees during the examination of proposed legislation.
Their participation, he said, would help address concerns, clarify government policies and resolve legal or drafting challenges that may emerge during committee deliberations.
Mr Bagbin also emphasised the importance of giving parliamentary committees adequate time to conduct stakeholder consultations and prepare comprehensive reports before presenting their findings to the House.
He stressed that Parliament must not compromise the quality of legislative reports in its efforts to complete parliamentary business within a limited period.
Parliament to Consider 11 Bills and 58 Motions
Providing an update on the legislative workload for the Third Meeting, the Speaker disclosed that 11 Bills were at different stages of the legislative process, while nine instruments had been referred to parliamentary committees for consideration.
The House was also expected to consider 44 papers, 58 motions and 204 outstanding parliamentary questions.
Additionally, three urgent questions and one petition were scheduled for consideration.
Mr Bagbin further disclosed that 582 referrals were pending before parliamentary committees, requiring examination, follow-up and timely submission of reports.
He therefore appealed to committee chairpersons and members to intensify their work on outstanding referrals and ensure that reports were submitted within the stipulated deadlines.
Speaker Calls for Efficiency Without Compromising Quality
The Speaker acknowledged that the limited duration of the parliamentary meeting required MPs to manage their time effectively and address outstanding legislative business.
However, he cautioned that the pressure to complete parliamentary work must not come at the expense of thorough scrutiny, accountability and constitutional responsibility.
He reiterated that the effectiveness of Parliament should not be determined by the volume of Bills, motions and other parliamentary matters processed but by the diligence, transparency and integrity demonstrated in carrying out its constitutional duties.
Mr Bagbin’s remarks highlight the importance of strengthening parliamentary oversight, improving legislative accountability and ensuring that laws passed by Ghana’s Parliament reflect proper democratic and constitutional processes.
The warning is expected to renew discussions about legislative transparency, parliamentary procedures and the need for effective scrutiny of government policies and proposed laws in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com