Parliamentary privilege is not immunity from lawful inquiry –Speaker Bagbin

Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has charged Members of Parliament (MPs) to prioritise national interest over partisan politics, saying that the institution must rise above pettiness and focus on delivering for the people.

“Parliament will not stand by while members are subjected to unlawful or politically motivated persecution.

“But neither will Parliament offer protection to those who seek to misuse its privileges to frustrate legitimate investigations,” he emphasised.

Mr Alban Bagbin said this when he welcomed the MPs back to parliamentary business yesterday. He also warned members against misconduct, stressing that “parliamentary privilege is not immunity from lawful inquiry…

“The immunities granted to this House and its members are designed to protect the independence of the legislature, not to obstruct justice.”

The Speaker urged members to conduct themselves with dignity, respect the rules and prioritise committee work, saying that “a Parliament is only as strong as the strength of its committees.”

He added, “Let us rededicate ourselves to the work ahead with patriotism, unity of purpose and collective resolve to secure the interest of the nation,” calling on members to make a worthy impact.

The Speaker also officially referred seven Supreme Court nominees to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for thorough vetting and report, as mandated by Article 144(2) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The nominees, initially appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, will undergo rigorous scrutiny.

The Nominees as announced by the Speaker on the Floor of Parliament on Tuesday are; Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Simon Suurbaareh, Justice Senyo Dzamefe and Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo.

The others are; Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo and Justice Hafisata Amaleboba.

During the Parliamentary proceedings, Speaker Bagbin emphasised the importance of a collaborative approach, tasking the leadership of the Judiciary Committee and the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to join the Appointments Committee in vetting the nominees.

NDC gov’t delivers tangible economic results

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has highlighted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s achievements in delivering tangible economic results, making life more affordable for Ghanaians.

“Mr Speaker, this House must support our indefatigable Finance Minister… to continue along the lines of fiscal prudence and his dogged pursuit of appreciating the Ghana Cedi, reducing inflation, prices and interest rates, revitalising our private sector and renewing hope in the Ghanaian.

“We have engineered one of the strongest currency rebounds in recent financial history. The cedi’s strength is putting money back in people’s pockets through transport fare reductions and reduced prices of imported food products,” he said.

Mr Ayariga made the remarks on Tuesday, during the delivery of his opening remarks on the Floor of Parliament, at the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.

Touching on the economic highlights, he emphasised a 24.1 per cent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar since January 2025, and a 16.2 per cent gain against the British pound.

“Mr Speakr, there is also a 14.1per cent strengthening versus the Euro, a significant reduction in fuel prices: Super XP: GH?15.85 to GH?13.27 (16.28 per cent decrease),

Diesel XP: GH?15.99 to GH?13.87 (13.26 per cent decrease), Super XP 95: GH?15.96 to GH?15.27 (4.32 per cent decrease) and transport fare reductions across major routes,” he said.

On the meeting’s legislative agenda, Mr Ayariga told the House that the NDC government planned to introduce several bills and regulations to strengthen Ghana’s financial stability and growth, including Mid-Year review of the Budget, guidelines for the utilisation of the Common Fund, Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, Ghana Deposit Protection (Amendment) Bill, Exemptions (Amendment) Bill, as well as several bills and regulations in the financial sector.

The Majority Leader, also the NDC Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, emphasised the importance of accountability and transparency in government, highlighting the NDC’s commitment to investigating corruption and maladministration, including COVID-19 expenditure, Agyapa Royalties deal, PDS scandal and Sole-sourcing practices.

Parliament resumed business on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 following recess from March 29, 2025.

By Elsie Appiah-Osei 

GNA

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