Parliamentary privilege is not immunity from lawful inquiry –Speaker Bagbin

Speaker Urges MPs to Prioritize National Interest

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged MPs to focus on national interest. He emphasized that Parliament must rise above petty politics. The goal is to deliver effectively for the people.

"Parliament will not tolerate unlawful or politically motivated persecution," he stated. However, he warned against misusing parliamentary privileges to obstruct investigations.

Mr. Bagbin welcomed MPs back to work and stressed the importance of conduct. "Parliamentary privilege does not mean immunity from lawful inquiry," he said. He noted that these immunities protect legislative independence, not justice obstruction.

He encouraged members to act with dignity and respect rules. "A Parliament is only as strong as its committees," he added. He called for unity and patriotism in securing national interests.

Supreme Court Nominees Referred for Vetting

The Speaker officially referred seven Supreme Court nominees to the Appointments Committee. This follows Article 144(2) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution.

The nominees were appointed by President John Dramani Mahama and will undergo thorough scrutiny. They include Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Simon Suurbaareh, and others.

During proceedings, Mr. Bagbin highlighted the need for collaboration in vetting these nominees. He tasked relevant committees with joining the Appointments Committee in this process.

Majority Leader Highlights Economic Achievements

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga praised the NDC government's economic achievements. He stated that life has become more affordable for Ghanaians.

"Support our Finance Minister in pursuing fiscal prudence," he urged Parliament. He noted significant currency rebounds benefiting citizens through reduced transport fares and food prices.

Mr. Ayariga shared impressive statistics on the Ghanaian cedi's performance since January 2025. The cedi appreciated by 24.1% against the US dollar and 16.2% against the British pound.

He also mentioned reductions in fuel prices across various categories, benefiting consumers significantly.

Legislative Agenda Announced

On legislative plans, Mr. Ayariga outlined several bills aimed at financial stability and growth. These include a Mid-Year Budget review and amendments related to investment promotion and deposit protection.

He emphasized accountability in government operations, particularly regarding corruption investigations related to COVID-19 expenditures and other scandals.

Parliament resumed business on Tuesday after a recess from March 29, 2025.