Parliament Set to Resume May 27: Key Bills, Oversight, and Unresolved Issues Take Centre Stage

Ghana’s Parliament will reconvene on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, for the second meeting of the first session, following a break that began on March 29. The return marks the continuation of a busy legislative calendar and the opportunity to address pressing issues that dominated the initial session.

The first meeting of the 9th Parliament, which commenced on January 7, 2025, was historic and highly anticipated. After the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a commanding majority in the December 2024 general elections, expectations were high for a more assertive legislative agenda.

Over the course of eleven weeks, the House was actively engaged, particularly in vetting 56 ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees through the Appointments Committee. Legislative productivity was also notable, with 18 bills introduced and 16 passed into law.

Among the major legislation passed were the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, Energy Sector Levy Bill, 2025, and the Appropriation Bill, along with the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board Bill, 2025. One regulation—the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025—was laid before Parliament and referred to the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation.

The first session also saw two significant national events: President John Mahama’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 27, and the 2025 Budget Presentation by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 11.

Internal changes also shaped the dynamics within the House. Both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made adjustments to their leadership ranks, reflecting the shifting political landscape.

However, the session was not without controversy. Tensions flared during ministerial vettings, culminating in property damage within the Appointments Committee chamber. In response, Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended four Members of Parliament for two weeks and formed a special committee to investigate the incident.

As Parliament reconvenes, several matters are expected to take precedence. Chief among them is the Grains Development Bill, which stakeholders hope will drive growth in the agriculture sector through enhanced value addition. The House is also expected to scrutinize government policies and spending more intensively, especially around budget allocations, research grants, and financial accountability.

There is also considerable public interest in the report from the committee investigating the destruction of Parliament property, as well as the outcome of the inquiry into a controversial remark involving the phrase “daughter of a murderer,” which sparked national debate.

The Minority Caucus is reportedly already strategizing for the second session, meeting over the weekend to outline its priorities and approach to proceedings.

With a packed agenda and a politically charged atmosphere, all eyes will be on Parliament as it resumes business. The coming weeks promise robust debate, key decisions, and, possibly, some long-awaited answers.