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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has postponed the commencement of the third meeting of the first session of the 9th Parliament indefinitely.

According to him, the deferment of the upcoming meeting earlier scheduled for October 14, 2025 until further notice is “due to circumstances beyond my control.”

Speaker Bagbin on September 29, 2025 served notice that Parliament would resume from recess on October 14 to continue its oversight and legislative functions.

But he says that can no longer hold; and it is expected that a new date would be announced for Members of Parliament to return to post.

The House went on recess on Friday, August 1, 2025 after weeks of intense legislative work, including the passage of several key bills, approval of agreements, and debates on matters of national importance.

What to expect

The upcoming meeting will mainly involve the presentation of the 2026 Budget as well as the consideration of estimates of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Parliament will then proceed to pass the appropriation accordingly.

Following the death of two legislators, which resulted in two by-elections, the House is expected to swear in two new Members both on the Majority side.

They include Bernard Bediako for Akwatia — he replaces the late Ernest Kumi; and Prof. Alidu Seidu for Tamale Central — he also will take over from the late Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Their swearing-in would signal new hopes for their constituents but will also be a moment of mixed feelings for the legislators.

Some legislative instruments that did not mature before the House went on recess are expected to be laid in the upcoming meeting.

Key bills, like the Ghana Scholarships Authority Bill which was heavily criticised by some educators and education policy think tanks, would be brought back for possible consideration and passage by the House.

The Third Meeting of the First Session of the 9th Parliament is anticipated to set the stage for key legislative and oversight work.

Debates on economic recovery measures and ongoing concerns about public finance management will surface.

Parliament will tackle government business, committee reports, and other matters of national interest, including the Minority’s request for government to submit the deal with the United States to accept deportees for ratification and appropriate action.

Significant events in the last sitting

During the last sitting, the mid-year budget review was delivered by the Minister for Finance, which received mixed reactions especially strong criticism from the Minority caucus.

The sitting witnessed several protests and walkouts by the Minority MPs who registered their grievances on several issues.

Drama unfolded concerning the use of the Dispatch Box by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and also some heated exchanges on the floor, including issues about the formation of delegations to the ECOWAS and Pan-African parliaments.

Two members of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi (Akwatia) and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (Tamale Central) tragically passed on under different circumstances.

The House passed a total of 13 bills, with some suspended and others that were withdrawn entirely.

Absenteeism and lateness to the Chamber by some MPs was another feature, which was denounced by the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga.

The House was expected to consider key legislative and policy matters, including the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.

By Christian Yalley