Omanghana
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has urged leaders of parliamentary committees to place Ghana’s national interest above partisan considerations when examining legislation and carrying out their duties.
Addressing the Annual Parliamentary Committees Leadership Program in Accra on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Bagbin said proposed laws should be assessed on their value to the country, regardless of which political party introduces them.
He said committees should avoid automatically supporting a bill because it comes from the government or rejecting a proposal solely because it originates from another political tradition.
Independent Scrutiny and Cooperation
The Speaker asked committee leaders to examine the constitutional validity, policy objectives, financial implications and practical enforceability of proposed laws before making recommendations.
He also encouraged them to conduct independent research and seek advice from academics, professional organizations and other experts. Parliament’s research, legal and legislative drafting staff, he said, could help committees strengthen their work.
Bagbin urged members from different political parties to cooperate, consider opposing views and seek consensus where possible. He cautioned against rushing legislation through Parliament, saying the quality of laws should remain a priority.
Oversight and Accountability
The Speaker said parliamentary oversight should identify weaknesses in public institutions, expose inefficiencies and encourage corrective action.
He urged committees to examine whether public projects deliver their intended benefits and provide value for money. He also called for follow-up on committee recommendations to determine whether institutions have acted on them.
Bagbin said disagreements and voting outcomes should be properly recorded to support accountability and provide a reference for future decisions.
Timely Committee Work
Bagbin has also called on committee leaders to avoid unnecessary delays and submit reports on time. Article 106(14) of the Constitution states that a bill introduced by or on behalf of the President must not be delayed for more than three months in a parliamentary committee.
In a separate communication to Parliament in February 2022, the Speaker warned that heads of committee clusters would be held responsible for missing minutes, describing the absence of records as a dereliction of duty.
Source: Omanghana
