Parliament adjourns for Easter after passing key bills

Parliament is to adjourn today for the Easter break, bringing to a close the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 9th Parliament after nearly two months of legislative activity.

The session, which began on February 3, 2026, was marked by key policy debates and the passage of major bills spanning legal education, mining, governance, and the economy.

A central moment was the presentation of the State of the Nation Address by President John Dramani Mahama, which triggered extensive debate on the floor of the House and set the tone for the session’s legislative agenda.

Among the most significant outcomes was the passage of the Legal Education Bill, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of the Ghana School of Law over professional legal training. The new law opens the space for accredited universities to offer legal education.

Parliament also ratified a 15-year lithium mining agreement between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited for operations at Ewoyaa in the Central Region. The deal follows the implementation of the Minerals and Mining (Royalty) Regulations, 2025, which introduced a sliding royalty regime of 5-12 percent for gold and lithium, depending on global prices.

In the education sector, lawmakers passed the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Bill, providing a more flexible pathway for private tertiary institutions seeking accreditation.

The House further approved the Value for Money Office Bill, which aims to strengthen oversight of public spending and procurement. However, the legislation faced strong resistance from the Minority, who warned it could become “a breeding ground for corruption.”

Parliament also passed the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, paving the way for the establishment of a central body to coordinate the implementation of the policy.

The House is expected to resume sittings after the Easter break.