Africa-Press – Ghana. As Ghana’s Ninth Parliament concludes its Second Meeting, it is time to reflect on the key achievements and milestones reached between May and August 2025.
This Session saw the House engaged in meaningful debates, vetting ministerial nominees, and passing crucial bills aimed at promoting development and reform.
A statement issued by Mr. David Sabatian Damoah, the Director of Media Relations, Parliament, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, Accra, on Monday said throughout the Meeting, the House held multiple sittings, engaged in meaningful debates on various bills, vetted the President’s ministerial nominees, and considered Committee reports.
Legislative Achievements
At the core of Parliament’s responsibilities lies its legislative mandate. During this Second Meeting, Parliament successfully enacted several bills that addressed urgent national issues and promoted development-friendly reforms.
These included: The Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2025, aimed at simplifying regulations, promoting sustainable aquaculture, and combating illegal fishing; the Road Maintenance Trust Fund Bill, 2025, which establishes a dedicated fund to maintain Ghana’s road infrastructure through a transparent and sustainable framework.
Other bills were the Energy Sector Levies Bill, 2025, which consolidates legislative provisions on energy levies to enhance efficiency and transparency; the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2025, restructures levy collection and deployment to strengthen financial stability for energy reforms, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, creates a Trust Fund to finance essential healthcare initiatives, infrastructure, and research, while the Social Protection Bill, 2025, provides a legal framework to boost social welfare programs for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children.
The other was the University for Development Studies Bill, 2025, which establishes the University for Development Studies (UDS) as an autonomous institution with improved governance and research capacity.
The Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Bill, 2025, clarifies procedures for declaring and observing national holidays to ensure consistency across the calendar.
These legislative measures were a result of extensive Committee deliberations and vigorous parliamentary debates, demonstrating Parliament’s responsiveness to national priorities.
Vetting of Supreme Court Justice and Deputy Ministerial Nominees
The Appointments Committee of Parliament publicly vetted seven nominees for the Supreme Court. These distinguished individuals, appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, were Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo.
The nominees, all Justices of the Court of Appeal, answered questions concerning key constitutional principles, relevant case law, and their philosophical outlook on justice administration. Their vetting was comprehensive, with particular focus on legal expertise, impartiality, and vision for strengthening Ghana’s judiciary.
Further, Parliament also paid considerable attention to the vetting of four Deputy Ministerial nominees: Madam Dorcas Affo-Toffey (Transport), Mr. James Gyakye Quayson (Foreign Affairs), Mr. Mohammed Adam Sukparu (Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations), and Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah (Health). The Appointments Committee, chaired by Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, held hearings where nominees shared their vision, answered questions about their integrity, and discussed issues related to their respective ministries.
Mid-Year Budget Review Presentation
The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, presented the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to the House on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
During his presentation, he emphasised fiscal discipline and a cautious economic outlook. He indicated to the House that the government was not seeking additional funds.
The review also focused on ongoing investments in key infrastructure and plans to improve revenue, including expanding taxes and reviewing current levies to keep the economy stable under the IMF-supported program.
Personalities and Dignitaries in the Chamber
A highlight of this Meeting was the visit of some important personalities. Ghana was proud to host India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, who addressed a special session of Parliament on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
During his presentation, he underscored strengthening cooperation and friendship between Ghana and India. His visit accentuated the growing relationship between the two countries. Several envoys from sister Parliaments, students from local schools, and identifiable civil society leaders were officially received, helping to create a lively and friendly atmosphere in the Chamber.
Tributes and National Mourning
The Meeting also featured heartfelt tributes. Parliament remembered the late Ernest Kumi, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, with Members eulogizing him for his dedication and service to his constituency and the country.
Across party lines, MPs eulogized him for his leadership, humility and honesty.
Parliament also recognised and honoured Daddy Lumba, one of Ghana’s most celebrated musicians, who passed away recently. Mr. Akwasi Konadu, NPP MP for Manhyia North, led the tribute, calling Daddy Lumba a legendary artist whose music combined beautiful melodies with meaningful social messages.
As a result, MPs from both sides shared how his music touched lives and inspired many.
A few days after the House adjourned sine die, on Friday, August 1, 2025, the nation was saddened by a horrific helicopter crash that claimed the lives of dedicated public servants, including a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, the late Murtala Mohammed Ibrahim.
“Not only was he an impassioned legislator, but also an affable individual who showed respect to everyone around him,” the House eulogised.
Celebrations
It was not all gloom; the House also celebrated the achievement of Ghana’s women’s national football team, the Black Queens, for winning bronze at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. They praised the team’s achievements and their role in inspiring young people and representing Ghana on the international stage.
Concluding Reflections
The Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament is a testimony to Ghana’s democratic resilience, the dedication of MPs, and the significance of Parliament in the life of our nation.
In a statement from the Speaker’s Office, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor reminded MPs that recess was not vacation time, urging them to engage actively in constituency work, oversight field visits, and deepening of democratic culture.
Parliament is set to reconvene in October 2025, with focus areas comprising budget preparations, implementation progress on newly passed bills, finalization of unresolved matters, continuation of oversight of national priorities, and policy debates.
Source: Ghana News Agency
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