The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has assured the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that the Minority in Parliament will continue to support him, regardless of how their party members are treated.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, March 28, 2025, he highlighted the Attorney General's cooperative relationship with MPs and stressed the importance of approving the budget to facilitate his work.

He further noted that the NPP Caucus also backs the Attorney General, emphasising that despite his actions against their party members, they will continue to extend their support and goodwill.

"He has been very cooperative, and we know his capabilities. He is upholding human rights, and he needs this budget to carry out his duties effectively. We cannot delay the Attorney General any further in this chamber. He must be heard, and he knows we support him.

"So, Mr. Speaker, I support the Minority Chief Whip’s position that we must hear the Attorney General, consider his budget, and review his report. We cannot deviate from this. Even if he is after us, we will show him love. Even if he is after us, we will still show him love. We should take his report,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the 9th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic is expected to conclude the first meeting of its first session today, March 28, 2025.

Following today’s proceedings, the House is anticipated to adjourn sine die (indefinitely) ahead of the Easter festivities.

As part of the events marking the conclusion of this session, Parliament will finalise the approval and appropriation process for the 2025 budget statement, which was presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on March 11, 2025.

According to the Order Paper for the day, the House is also expected to pass the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) Bill, which seeks to regulate the country’s gold industry.

Additionally, several other bills are slated for passage today, including:

* The Public Financial Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025

* The Minerals Income Investment Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025

* The Petroleum Revenue Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025

* The Ghana Cocoa Board (Amendment) Bill, 2025

* The Public Procurement Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Earlier in the session, Parliament passed several bills, including those aimed at eliminating certain taxes, as promised in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s campaign. Some of the repealed taxes include:

* The Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy)

* The Emissions Levy

* The Withholding Tax on Betting, Lottery, and Gaming Winnings

* The Withholding Tax on Unprocessed Gold Purchases

* The Value Added Tax (VAT) on Motor Insurance

The first session of the 9th Parliament also featured the presentation of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President John Dramani Mahama on February 27, 2025, in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.

Inaugurated on January 6, 2025, following the outcome of the 2024 parliamentary elections, the 9th Parliament will have held a total of 42 sittings by the end of this session.

These sittings were presided over by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, with Bernard Ahiafor and Andrew Amoako Asiamah serving as First and Second Deputy Speakers, respectively.

Watch the video on GhanaWeb TV below:



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