Parliament reconvenes today following the Christmas recess for the first sitting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament.
Lawmakers are expected to resume work on pending legislation while addressing key policy and economic issues likely to dominate parliamentary debate in the coming months.
The sitting also marks Parliament’s first meeting of the year.
Speaking to Starr News ahead of the sitting, the Second Deputy Majority Whip, Richard Acheampong, said Parliament has a packed agenda.
According to him, some matters are currently at the committee stage, others will be referred to various committees, while some are ready for consideration by the House.
“Parliament is resuming today, and we have a comprehensive list of activities that members will undertake. Some matters are at the committee stage, others will be referred to various committees, and some are at the consideration stage,” he said.
Acheampong noted that February is also the month for the State of the Nation Address (SONA), which he described as a key parliamentary event.
“As we know, February is also the month of the State of the Nation Address, which is a very important occasion. It is the time when the President appears before the House to inform the good people of this country about what he inherited and the progress made so far in stabilizing the economy and addressing national challenges.”
He explained that the President’s address will be followed by three days of debate, allowing Members of Parliament to contribute before the House returns to committee work.
Acheampong further disclosed that one of the major items on the agenda is the LGBTQ+ bill, which will be reintroduced and referred to the appropriate committee for further action.
“The debate has gone on for some time, and we believe it is important to resolve it and clear it from our agenda, paving the way for presidential assent and allowing the country to move forward,” he stated.
He added that several other bills, instruments, and documents will also be considered, making the session a busy one.
However, he expressed confidence that Members of Parliament will cooperate to ensure progress is made.
According to him, such cooperation would demonstrate to Ghanaians that Parliament exists to serve the national interest rather than partisan considerations.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh / Benjamin Sackey
