[02/06, 15:22] Philomena Kutu Blankson , Sata Radio: Speaker Bagbin Calls for Reconsideration of Bill to Strengthen Consensus and Procedural Integrity
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to reconsider a pending bill before its final enactment, stressing the importance of procedural integrity, national unity, and broad-based consensus.
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that his intervention is consistent with his constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities to promote consensus on matters under consideration. “This statement is consistent with my obligation under Order 20, Rule 4(b) of the Standing Orders to promote consensus on matters under consideration in the House,” he stated. “It is with this conviction that I invite Honourable Members to reflect on whether further consideration of this matter may better secure public confidence, national unity, collective ownership of the bill, and respect for the faith, laws, and aspirations of the nation.”
The Speaker urged lawmakers to rise above partisan interests and focus on the broader national interest, noting that legislation of such significance should command the confidence and support of all Ghanaians. As part of the process, he respectfully requested that Parliament revisit the decision taken at the bill’s third reading to allow for a comprehensive review of its final text and, where necessary, incorporate further amendments.
Speaker Bagbin clarified that the proposal should not be interpreted as a rejection of the bill or its objectives. Rather, he described it as a demonstration of Parliament’s commitment to democratic governance and sound legislative practice.
According to the Speaker, a review of the bill would reinforce Parliament’s dedication to due process, constitutional compliance, consensus-building, transparency, and legislative certainty.
He concluded by emphasizing that any law ultimately passed by Parliament should not only reflect the independent will of the House but also enjoy the widest possible support and acceptance among the Ghanaian people.
[02/06, 16:01] Philomena Kutu Blankson , Sata Radio: Speaker Bagbin Stands Firm on Bill Review, Says “What Is Right Must Be Done Rightly”
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaffirmed his call for the reconsideration of a key piece of legislation, insisting that laws of significant national importance must be passed through a process that commands broad confidence and consensus rather than relying solely on a numerical majority.
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin stressed that both the content of legislation and the procedure leading to its passage must withstand public and constitutional scrutiny. “A legislation of this magnitude ought, as far as practicable, to command not merely the numerical support of a majority of members, but also the broad confidence of the House regarding both its substance and the process by which it was adopted,” he stated. “What is right must be done rightly.”
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament’s responsibility extends beyond passing laws to ensuring that every stage of the legislative process reflects the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and democratic accountability.
To address concerns surrounding the bill, Speaker Bagbin urged Members of Parliament to rely on established parliamentary procedures, including provisions governing motions and long-standing conventions of the House, to revisit the legislation in an orderly and lawful manner.
According to him, such an approach would provide Parliament with a legitimate avenue to review the bill while preserving the dignity and authority of the legislative process. Describing the legislation as a “historic and important bill,” the Speaker noted that reconsideration should not be viewed as an obstacle to its passage but rather as an opportunity to strengthen its legitimacy and public acceptance.
He further called for a bipartisan approach to the review process, emphasizing that the final law must reflect the convictions, aspirations, and confidence of the Ghanaian people, as well as the intentions of those who initiated the bill. “I call on Parliament to rely on the provisions on motions and the conventions of this House to go back to this historic and important bill and reconsider it in a way that is truly bipartisan, to conform with the convictions and confidence of our people, the initiators of the bill,” he urged.
Speaker Bagbin concluded by reiterating that the credibility of Parliament rests not only on the laws it enacts but also on the fairness, inclusiveness, and constitutional soundness of the processes through which those laws are made.
Report by PKB
