Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called on Members of Parliament to abandon the culture of lateness and absenteeism, urging them to “bury those conducts with Christ” as Parliament took a break for the Easter festivities.
Mr Bagbin made the appeal last Friday as Parliament adjourned sine die, bringing the First Meeting of the Second Session of legislative work to a close.
Expressing regret over the persistent delays and absences that had characterised parliamentary sittings, the Speaker prayed for MPs to experience renewed zeal to serve the nation upon resurrection.
Despite his criticism, Mr Bagbin commended lawmakers for their dedication throughout the session, noting that their “sacrificial sweat continues to irrigate the gardens of parliamentary democracy.”
He encouraged MPs to use the Easter recess to reconnect with their constituents and gather perspectives that would guide future legislative work.
The Speaker also extended appreciation to the Clerk to Parliament, Parliamentary Service Staff, and the media, acknowledging that their efforts “bring Parliament closer to the people.”
Legislative achievements
Parliament had reconvened for the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Fourth Republic on February 3, 2026. During the sitting, lawmakers passed several key bills, including the approval of disbursement formulas for the District Assembly Common Fund for 2026.
A major highlight was President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, which set the legislative agenda and triggered extensive debate on the floor.
Among the significant legislation passed was the Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025, which ends the Ghana School of Law’s long-standing monopoly over professional legal training, opening the space for accredited institutions to offer legal education.
Parliament also ratified a 15-year lithium mining agreement between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited for operations at the Ewoyaa deposit in the Central Region.
Other bills passed included the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Act, 2026; the Value for Money Office Act, 2026; the Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Authority Act, 2026.
The House also passed the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025; the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences Bill, 2025; the Growth and Sustainability Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025; and the Governance Advisory Council Bill, 2025.
The session featured debates on key national issues, oversight of government policies, and responses from sector ministers to parliamentary questions.
Pending bills, including the Parliamentary Transition Bill, await further consideration in subsequent meetings.
