Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has hinted at a possible ban on traditional opening remarks by the Majority and Minority Leaders, warning that the practice has increasingly become a source of distraction from parliamentary business.
Mr Bagbin issued the warning during Parliament’s emergency sitting on Monday, August 24, 2026, after the Majority and Minority Leaders used their customary welcome remarks to raise politically charged issues beyond the day’s official agenda, including the alleged Goldboss losses.
The Speaker said the remarks had gone far beyond what should ordinarily constitute a welcome address.
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According to him, the opening statements had effectively turned into political debates, creating unnecessary tension at a time when Parliament was expected to focus on specific legislative business.
“What has taken place today has nothing to do with welcome remarks,” Mr Bagbin said.
He was particularly concerned about the exchanges surrounding the Minority’s motion seeking an investigation into the operations and reported losses associated with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
The Speaker acknowledged the importance of freedom of expression in Parliament but cautioned that parliamentary openness must operate within the rules and procedures governing the House.
Mr Bagbin suggested that Parliament may have to reconsider the practice of allowing leaders to make extensive opening remarks at the beginning of sittings.
He described the current practice as increasingly creating a “tone of hostility” and distracting lawmakers from the substantive business before the House.
Mr Bagbin stressed that Parliament remains committed to transparency and open governance but said openness should not be interpreted as permission to disregard parliamentary rules.
“We have opened our Parliament beyond any other in Africa, but that openness does not mean we should ignore our rules,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Bagbin also directed the Table Office to ensure that Parliament sticks strictly to the agenda for the current emergency sitting.
The emergency recall, initiated by President John Dramani Mahama, is focused on specific matters, including the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill and the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The Speaker directed that Questions, Statements and other new business should not be admitted during the recall.
This means lawmakers will be required to concentrate on the matters for which the House was recalled rather than introducing unrelated issues.