Audio By Carbonatix
The Minority in Parliament has accused the Majority of abusing Ghana’s democratic process by systematically misusing the certificate of urgency.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Habib Iddrisu, said the practice has become routine under the current Parliament, despite the government’s campaign promises.
The Tolon MP said the first sitting of Parliament in 2026 was marked by deep concern within the Minority, arguing that the government came into office on the back of promises that were unrealistic, deceptive, and incapable of being delivered.
According to him, the Majority’s conduct in Parliament in 2025 revealed what he described as the irrelevance of the so-called super majority handed to them by Ghanaians. He said this was the basis for the Minority’s recent press conference.
Habib Iddrisu said the Majority rushed several problematic bills through Parliament in 2025 under Certificates of Urgency. He noted that some of these bills were later withdrawn overnight, while others were quickly amended after being hurriedly laid.
“These are part of the reasons that we are preparing the minds of Ghanaians that in 2026, the narrative and the situation are going to be very different from what actually happened in 2025,” he said.
When host Evans Mensah asked whether the use of the Certificate of Urgency was not a standard parliamentary procedure, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip insisted the process had been abused.
He described it as “an abuse of democratic process,” arguing that while the Majority has the numbers, the Standing Orders clearly outline how urgency should be determined. He explained that when a bill is laid, the committee may recommend urgency, but Parliament has the power to accept or reject that recommendation.
He said the Majority’s two-thirds strength allows it to impose its will, but questioned whether any of the bills passed truly merited urgency.
“Can you mention one of the bills that they have passed that is of an urgent nature?” he asked, challenging the Majority’s justification.
Habib Iddrisu disclosed that about 33 bills were passed under Certificates of Urgency within a single year. He said he could hardly recall any bill that did not receive that treatment.
“In one year, about 33 of their bills have come all under a certificate of urgency,” he said, adding that he had repeatedly raised the issue on the floor of Parliament.
He accused the Majority of abusing both the parliamentary process and the numerical strength granted to them by the Ghanaian people.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana opens continental AI hackathon as Accra positions itself at the centre of Africa’s push from AI ambition to execution
1 minute -
Health Ministry dismisses claims of ARV shortage, says medicines available at designated facilities
13 minutes -
Transport fares rise on some routes despite suspension of planned 30% increase
21 minutes -
NAIMOS intensifies galamsey crackdown, arrests 40 and seizes mining equipment across six regions
28 minutes -
Clean Energy Chamber convenes EV Working Group to advance import duty reforms
35 minutes -
CIB Ghana, BoG reaffirm commitment to ethics, professionalism in banking
40 minutes -
Democracy Cup: Speaker Bagbin receives 2026 trophy, unveils major Sunderland initiative
41 minutes -
SSNIT eyes more financial investments to boost returns as total assets grow to GHS36bn
49 minutes -
EC to review CI 127, introduce dedicated portal for election results
57 minutes -
Ho Assembly destroys expired food products seized from warehouses
1 hour -
Over 1,000 NDC women petition A-G for Sedina’s release, Volta youth group backs call
1 hour -
Most White Volta residents evacuated ahead of Bagre Dam spillage — NADMO
1 hour -
La Nkwantanang-Madina MCE orders probe into alleged chemical ripening of fruits
1 hour -
EOCO must name all persons linked to Berko bribery scheme — NPP communicator
1 hour -
Prophet Emmanuel Adjei leads powerful prophetic encounters at ‘Born to Prophesy 2026’
2 hours