The Parliamentary Network Africa proposes that Ghana's Executive must formally justify any bill laid under a certificate of urgency. This measure aims to improve openness and accountability in lawmaking. The call follows a significant finding that 34 out of 39 bills passed in the Ninth Parliament by May 22, 2026, used urgent procedures.
These urgent procedures bypass the usual 14-day public notice requirement for bills. The Parliamentary Network Africa believes a formal, written justification would allow for proper parliamentary review. A relevant committee would then scrutinise the request and either approve or reject it, ensuring due process.
This push for greater scrutiny fits into Ghana's broader efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and financial oversight. The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) currently holds a “supermajority” with 185 MPs, plus four independent MPs, totaling 189 members. This makes up 68.5% of Parliament, shaping how legislative decisions are made. The ability to pass bills under urgency without detailed scrutiny raises concerns about check and balances, especially with 87 opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs in the minority.
Samuel Obeng, Executive Director of Parliamentary Network Africa, stated this justification and the committee's decision, along with reasons, should be publicly documented. This would ensure greater transparency. He noted this approach aligns with practices in other Commonwealth countries. These nations also require clear justification and oversight for fast-tracked legislative processes.
The proposal means that future bills introduced under urgency would face greater parliamentary and public scrutiny. Decision-makers and markets will watch for proposed amendments to Parliament's Standing Orders, especially Rule 160. This rule currently governs the conditions for invoking a Certificate of Urgency. Defining clear criteria will allow citizens and stakeholders to monitor compliance and prevent potential abuse. The changes could also lead to more efficient parliamentary sittings by re-evaluating the current afternoon schedule, which often extends into late-night sessions.
The recommendations come from the Output Analysis Report of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament. This report examined parliamentary output from January to December 2025. It highlighted the volume of legislative activity rather than measuring the quality of laws. The report also pointed out that parliamentary questions and statements, key tools for oversight, are underutilised. Implementing these changes could strengthen Ghana's legislative process and improve public trust in financial and economic policies. This enhancement could significantly affect market stability and investor confidence by ensuring robust legal frameworks.