By Clement Akoloh
Accra, May 21, 2026 – The 2nd meeting of the 2nd session of the 9th Parliament opened on Thursday with a call for discipline from the Speaker, a packed legislative agenda from the Majority Leader, and a demand for more space to speak from the Minority Leader.
Bagbin: “MPs Are Not Above the Law”
The Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin set a stern tone, reminding MPs that parliamentary privilege does not place them above the law.
“Not even the Ghanaians that we represent are above the law. So we the representatives are therefore not above the law. No privilege or immunity supersedes the law,” he said.
He clarified procedure on the arrest of MPs, saying security agencies do not need his permission to act, but must inform him so he can apply the law on privilege. Bagbin also urged members to be punctual and focus on the heavy workload ahead, warning against conduct that erodes public confidence.
The Speaker announced that Parliament will host the African Family Values and Sovereignty Conference from June 3-5.
On legislation, Bagbin listed priority bills for speedy processing, including the Constitution Amendment Bill 2025, Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Property Rights of Spouses Bill, and Parliamentary Transition Bill. He stressed that both sides support them and they should move through committees quickly.
Ayariga: Focus on Committees, Economic and Financial Bills
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said the session would focus on strengthening committee oversight of state institutions.
“In this Second Meeting and Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of Ghana, we will focus on Parliament’s Committees’ work and pay attention to their oversight responsibility over state institutions to fulfil their mandates,” he said.
Ayariga said institutions must submit regular reports to committees and appear before the media to account for funds and programmes. He also announced that Parliament would consider major economic and financial bills.
“These bills are not just technical exercises… They are about improving confidence in our financial system, protecting depositors, and ensuring that our tax regime supports growth rather than stifling it,” he said.
He urged MPs to approach debate with national responsibility, saying “differences of opinion enrich our democracy, but division must never obstruct national progress”.
Afenyo-Markin: Give Minority Room to Speak
The remarks of the Minority Leader, Osahene Alexander Afenyo-Markin read by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei appealed to the Majority to be more accommodating and allow more motions and debates from the opposition side.
“We hold the view that in this meeting, the Majority should be more accommodating; they must hear us. They must allow the Minority to do more advocacy. We expect the Speaker to admit more and more of our motions,” he said.
He argued that parliamentary democracy thrives when all sides participate fully, and said frustrations in past sessions limited the Minority’s ability to contribute.
Afenyo-Markin also used the opening day to reiterate his criticism of the handling of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Abronye DC’s case, calling the arrest and remand “state-sponsored political persecution”. He has been vocal this week about the conduct of the presiding judge and called on the Chief Justice and Ghana Bar Association to intervene.
Source:parliamentnews360.com
