By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, Aug. 25, GNA – Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, on has referred two ministerial nominees of President John Dramani Mahama to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for vetting and consideration.
The nominees are Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle, nominated as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, and Mr Mahama Ayariga, NDC MP for Bawku Central and Majority Leader, nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The referral follows the President’s first major ministerial reshuffle in his second term.
A statement issued by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications, said the nominations were made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which required prior approval of Parliament for ministerial appointments.
In addition to the new nominations, President Mahama has reassigned two serving ministers.
Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei has been moved from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence, while Mr Ahmed Ibrahim has been reassigned from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The Appointments Committee is expected to conduct a thorough vetting of the nominees and present its report to the plenary for approval.
Parliament reconvened on Monday August 24 for a special Sitting following a recall by Mr Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament.
The recall comes less than a month after the House adjourned sine die on Friday, July 31, 2026, and is expected to bring MPs back to the Chamber to transact urgent parliamentary business.
In a notice to members, Speaker Bagbin exercised his authority under Order 58(4) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, which empowered the Speaker to recall the House during recess when exigencies demand its resumption.
According to the recall notice, the House will sit from today, Monday, August 24, to Friday, August 28, 2026.
“In exercise of the power conferred on the Speaker of Parliament by Order 58 (4) of the Standing Orders of Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, do hereby direct that Parliament shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, be recalled from recess to sit on Monday, at 12 noon of the 24th, to Friday, the 28th day of August, 2026, at Parliament House, Accra, to consider urgent parliamentary business,” the statement stated.
The House adjourned on July 31 after a busy second meeting of the first session of the Ninth Parliament, but Speaker Bagbin, in his recall communication, stressed the need for Parliament to return to deal with urgent state matters.
In April 2019, Parliament was recalled during the Seventh Parliament to deliberate on the Companies Bill and a petroleum agreement.
The same powers were exercised by Mr Bagbin in May 2023 to handle urgent government business.
Parliamentary recalls under Order 58(4) are typically used to deliberate on critical bills, financial approvals, or time-sensitive national issues that could not wait until Parliament resumes its regular Session.
Parliament adjourned sine die on Friday, July 31,1 2026.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Email: [email protected]