Ghana Parliament recalled for emergency session and ministerial vetting

The Parliament of Ghana has been recalled for a five-day emergency sitting, running from August 24 to August 28, 2026, to address urgent legislative and administrative matters. Speaker Alban Bagbin stated the recall was requested by President John Dramani Mahama to expedite several key items before the next scheduled session in October.

The Appointments Committee is tasked with vetting five nominees: two for ministerial positions and three for the Supreme Court. The ministerial nominees include Mahama Ayariga, designated for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, designated for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology. The judicial nominees include Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jr.

In addition to the vetting process, the House is expected to consider and pass the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the National Petroleum Authority Bill, 2026. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has indicated that the opposition intends to conduct a rigorous scrutiny of the ministerial nominations during the committee proceedings.