The Minority in Parliament has warned the governing Majority that it will no longer permit bills to be rushed through the House under certificates of urgency without proper scrutiny.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Monday, January 26, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Minority would strongly resist what he described as the abuse of parliamentary procedure when Parliament reconvenes on February 3.
“Let me turn attention to a disturbing matter on the floor of this House. We promise the people of Ghana that when Parliament reconvenes on the 3rd of February, we are not going to allow the Majority to have it their way.”
He accused the Majority of reducing Parliament into a “fast-track” and “rubber-stamp” institution.
“The Majority has turned Parliament into a parliament of fast track and no scrutiny. A rubber-stamp Parliament where everything comes under a certificate of urgency.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin warned that the Minority would oppose any further attempts to bypass detailed debate.
“They should be ready to beat us in the Chamber. We will resist with all the energy in us. No more certificates of urgency,” he said.
He cited several laws passed under rushed procedures, including the GoldBod law and levies in the energy sector.
“They had their way in the passage of the GoldBod law. The Energy Sector Recovery Levy, the dumsor levy, all came under certificates of urgency, and many other laws were passed without any scrutiny,” he said.
The Minority Leader emphasised that while the Majority relies on numbers, the Minority brings substance to parliamentary debates.
“They only talk numbers, but we all know that when it comes to quality debate, we do proper research and argue on facts, supported with data. What they come into the Chamber to do is propaganda.”
He vowed to intensify oversight, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 fiscal year, describing the budget as a “chop-chop budget.”
“Come 2026, they will never have their way. We will hold their feet to the fire and ensure that each minister accounts for his stewardship. We know that the 2026 budget is a chop-chop budget. We are going to open our eyes and scrutinise every contract. Every document that goes to the Public Procurement Authority, the Minority will follow it and bring motions.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin also appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to protect the rights of both sides of the House, criticising frequent dismissals of Minority motions and delays in responses to questions.
“We humbly pray that the Speaker prioritises substance over form. That is the rule of equity. He should prioritise the prudence of our procedures and allow debate to flow. We will not sit idly by and allow the Majority to use their numbers to deny us our duty of ensuring proper oversight,” he added.
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