Speaker of the 9th Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has ruled inadmissible a Minority motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana.
The ruling was made on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when the House reconvened after its termly recess.
The Speaker made this known during Parliament's emergency sitting, following consideration of the motion's proposed terms of reference and the legal issues surrounding the cases.
In his maiden submission in the House after the three (3) months break, Rt.Hon. Bagbin raised concerns over what he described as substantial factual overlap between the proposed parliamentary inquiry and matters already before the courts.
According to the Speaker, an inquiry of that nature proposed could require Parliament to examine transactions, assess the conduct of individuals and institutions, and determine why certain decisions were taken or opposed at Ghana's ports, harbors and borders of entry.
He noted however that, such an exercise could potentially lead Parliament into matters reserved for the courts and could also prejudice the interests of parties involved in the ongoing judicial proceedings.
"The combined effect of undertaking this evaluation, assessment, and investigation would be, at the end of the day, to determine the very issues that the Court of Competent Jurisdiction is supposed to determine", the statesman added quicky.
Mr. Bagbin indicated that, his decision followed consideration of Parliament's constitutional oversight mandate, the Standing Orders of the House, the ongoing investigations and pending judicial proceedings.
He consequently ruled against the motion in its current form.
"I therefore rule, pursuant to Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103, Sub-Rule F, that the Party Member's motion is inadmissible", Mr. Bagbin decreed.
