Parliament to Begin Sittings at 2pm as Bagbin Reserves Mornings for Committee Work

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed that plenary sittings begin at 2:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, with mornings set aside for parliamentary committee work.

The new schedule, announced on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, is intended to improve punctuality and provide a more predictable timetable for members of Parliament, government officials and the public.

Bagbin issued the directive under Orders 5 and 55 of Parliament’s Standing Orders. He said the arrangement would allow committees to complete their work in the morning before members move to the chamber for plenary proceedings.

Ordinary sittings will remain five hours long. This means a sitting that begins at 2:00 p.m. would normally end at about 7:00 p.m., although the House may adjust its hours when necessary.

Parliamentary committees are responsible for examining bills and other matters referred to them by the House. Their work can include holding inquiries, engaging stakeholders and preparing reports for consideration by the full Parliament.

By reserving mornings for those activities, the Speaker expects committees to have more time to carry out their duties before plenary begins.

The afternoon sitting time is also expected to give ministers and other government officials an opportunity to attend to their executive responsibilities before appearing in the chamber.

Bagbin called for punctuality under the new schedule, stressing that the 2:00 p.m. start should be observed.

The Speaker said a consistent timetable would make it easier for the public to know when Parliament is sitting and follow its proceedings.

The afternoon schedule is expected to give more citizens an opportunity to watch debates and other parliamentary business through Parliament TV and online platforms.

Bagbin also directed the Clerk to Parliament to communicate the change to ministers and relevant government officials to support implementation of the new arrangement.

While 2:00 p.m. will be the standard starting time, the Speaker said Parliament retains the flexibility to sit at other hours for important national business.

An adjustment is expected on Thursday, November 12, 2026, when Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is scheduled to present the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.

Bagbin said he had approved the minister’s request for an evening presentation and indicated that Parliament could convene at about 6:00 p.m. for the occasion.

Omanghana is an online news portal that provides readers around the world with a greater focus on Ghana and other parts of Africa. Established in 2009, Omanghana regularly publishes articles related to News, Sports, and Entertainment.

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