The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, convened on June 11, 2024, was adjourned sine die on Tuesday, July 31, 2024.
During the Meeting, Parliamentarians debated and discussed a wide range of issues and policies to advance Ghana’s development and address urgent domestic concerns, according to a statement issued by Parliament’s Media Relations Department and made available to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.
The National Roads Authority Bill, 2024, which, among other things, establishes the National Roads Authority as a single organisation in charge of planning, development, maintenance, and administration of the national road network, was one of the major Bills passed during this Meeting.
The purpose of the new Authority was to improve road management nationwide in terms of efficiency and oversight by merging three separate agencies, the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Feeder Roads, and the Department of Urban Roads, into one entity.
The objective was to enhance the overall efficacy of road management and guarantee the provision of superior service within the transportation industry.
During the Third Meeting, Parliament also passed the National Service Authority Bill, 2024.
With the passage of this Bill, the National Service Authority is established as a corporate entity with the legal authority to create and carry out national service policies and programmes.
The main goal of the Act is to enable the Authority to generate internal funds to supplement government efforts in creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The Act will also empower the Authority to mobilise and post qualified individuals to undertake national service in areas of national priority for national development and encourage youth entrepreneurship through the national service programme.
The House also passed the Ghana Civil Aviation Bill, 2024, which is set to replace the existing Ghana Civil Aviation Act, 2004 (Act 678) as amended.
This new legislation establishes the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as an autonomous body responsible for aviation safety and security in the country.
The Act empowers the GCAA to operate independently, with new governance measures that enhance transparency and accountability.
The legislation introduces stricter safety and security regulations, such as prohibiting flights over sensitive areas like military zones and forbidding flying practices that could endanger lives.
It also provides a legal framework for the GCAA to manage air navigation services in the Accra Flight Information Region until the establishment of the Ghana Air Navigation Services Agency.
This new law aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, promoting safety and efficiency in the aviation sector.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, was also passed during the Third Meeting to improve the regulation of commercial activities related to shipping in Ghana by amending the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 1974 (NRCD 254).
The Act is to shield regional companies from the abusive tactics of global shipping corporations.
To ensure fair pricing and transparency in the port charge determination process, the Act addresses the unfair and excessive charges imposed on traders using Ghana’s ports and borders.
The new law would strengthen regulatory oversight, enable the GSA to adjust to current trends in the shipping and logistics industry and safeguard the interests of shippers and shipping service providers.
Positioning Ghana as a preferred transit trade channel for landlocked neighbours like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the Act aims to increase the sector’s contribution to national revenue.
The passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill, 2024, which marks a significant advance in the country’s efforts to promote gender equity, was the cherry on top of the Third Meeting’s legislation.
The Act seeks to remedy the historical gender disparities in Ghana’s socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational domains.
The government is required by this Act to guarantee “progressive equitable representation of women” in governance, public office, and decision-making positions.
In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goal on gender parity, the Act sets specific targets for women’s participation: 30 percent from 2024 to 2026, 35 percent from 2027 to 2028, and 50per cent by 2030.
Also, it aims to increase women’s involvement in the public and private economic sectors.
The Act forbids discrimination based on gender and mandates that constitutional bodies and security services provide equal opportunities for women.
After years of development, on 30th July 2024, the Parliament of Ghana, presided by an elated Speaker, Mr Bagbin, unanimously passed this Bill.
The Speaker urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to strive for a just society and underscored the need for true equity and their dedication to enforcing the new law.
Advocates for gender equality celebrate the Bill’s passage, which marks a watershed moment in Ghana’s legislative history.
During this Meeting, Parliament reconstituted some of its committees in accordance with the new Standing Orders by realigning their membership and mandates.
In constituting the Committees, the House was guided by Article 103(4) of the 1992 Constitution which provides that every Member of Parliament shall be a member of at least one of the Standing Committees.
Further, the Minister for Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, appeared before the House and delivered the 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review.
The Minister said that the economy of Ghana has proven to be remarkably resilient, growing at a rate of 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024.
In terms of fiscal performance, he indicated that the government will not be looking for additional funding because they are making significant efforts to be more effective, deliberate, and strategic to firmly establish fiscal consolidation and vigorously support growth.
According to Dr Adam, the government is pursuing growth in the debt restructuring space within the framework of fiscal restraint and debt sustainability.
The Third Meeting was not just about making laws; Parliament also hosted a soccer match called “The Democracy Cup” to commemorate Ghana’s 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic.
This event which will be marked annually, had its inaugural edition taking place at the Accra Sports Stadium and featured a titanic clash between Ghana’s two most successful clubs, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak.
The porcupine warriors emerged victorious, defeating Hearts of Oak 2-1 to clinch the maiden Democracy Cup.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko S.C. will have the opportunity to represent Ghana in a friendly match against DC United, a professional soccer club based in Washington, USA. In the curtain-raiser, a classic squad of MPs and Parliamentary Service staff stunned a group of former Black Stars players with a 3-1 victory.
Before this event, the Speaker led a team to hold a public forum in Techiman and a mock parliament in Sunyani.
In Kumasi, the Speaker paid a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, which was followed up with a public forum and a mock parliament at the Great Hall of KNUST.
During this meeting, there was a tense moment when the Marshall escorted Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, out of the Chamber on the orders of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bagbin.
Dr Afriyie was escorted out for making disrespectful remarks in response to the Speaker’s remark on the President’s communication regarding the nomination of two Supreme Court Justices.
The situation highlighted the importance of maintaining decorum and respect within Ghana’s Parliament.
As Ghana prepares for the December 2024 general election, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, was in Parliament to brief and reassure the country’s representatives about the Commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair, and transparent polls.
To carry out Parliament’s oversight responsibilities, the Appointments Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and Committee on Assurances held public hearings.
Parliament has since gone into recess, and there is excitement about the upcoming Fourth Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament, which promises to be a period of engaging debates, collaborative efforts, and consensus-building centred on national interests.
