BY VALENTIA TETTEH
Parliament resumes sitting today, Thursday, May 21, with the commencement of the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on a wide range of bills and policy reforms covering key sectors including transport, energy, justice, governance and national security.
Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, outlined the legislative priorities ahead of the meeting, indicating that several significant bills and agreements are expected before the House in the coming weeks.
Transport sector bills
On transport, Parliament is expected to consider the Maritime and Related Offences Bill following the submission of a report by the Committee on Transport.
The House is also expected to review the Road Traffic Regulations as well as bilateral air services agreements between Ghana and countries including Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We expect to receive the Maritime and Related Offences Bill from the Committee on Transport because it’s been moved, the first reading done and referred to the committee to bring a report for the second reading,” Mr. Dafeamekpor stated.
Energy sector reforms
The Majority Chief Whip disclosed that the energy sector will receive significant legislative attention during the session.
According to him, Parliament is expected to deliberate on proposals to review the legal framework governing the National Petroleum Authority, legislation on private-sector participation in electricity distribution, and the proposed Nuclear Power Corporation Bill 2026.
Lawmakers are also expected to consider the establishment of a Renewable Energy Authority to coordinate renewable energy development in areas such as solar and wind power.
“We want to establish a statutory entity that will coordinate renewable energy issues like solar and wind,” he explained.
Justice and security reforms
On justice and security, Parliament is expected to consider a Community Service Bill to introduce non-custodial sentencing for minor offences as part of efforts to reduce congestion in the country’s prisons.
The House is also expected to deliberate on amendments to the National Identity Register law, prison parole regulations and proposed legislation aimed at improving coordination among security agencies.
“There have been complaints about activities of security operatives, so the new legislation is to take care of that,” he noted.
Governance and legal reforms
Additionally, Parliament is expected to consider a proposed Code of Conduct Bill aimed at strengthening rules on asset declaration and ethical standards in public office.
Lawmakers will also review CI 47, which governs civil procedure in the High Court, to consolidate the numerous amendments made over the years into a single legal framework.
“There have been so many amendments. We think it’s time to consolidate these issues into a new procedure code,” Mr. Dafeamekpor added.
The Second Meeting of the Second Session is expected to focus heavily on legislative reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving public sector accountability and supporting Ghana’s economic and infrastructural development agenda.
