Parliament
Ghana’s Parliament reconvenes today for the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament, with key legislative attention expected to center on mining governance, particularly the revocation of the L.I. permitting mining in forest reserves, and the possible ratification of the Atlantic Lithium agreement.
Government is expected to lay before the House a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) seeking to revoke L.I. 2462, which currently empowers the President to authorise mining activities in forest reserves.
The proposed change is part of renewed efforts to curb illegal mining (galamsey) and strengthen environmental protection measures in ecologically sensitive areas.
If passed, the revocation would mark a major policy shift in Ghana’s mining governance framework, signaling government’s intent to tighten controls on mining operations in forest zones — areas that have increasingly come under threat from illegal and small-scale mining activities.
At the same time, Members of Parliament are expected to turn their attention to the Atlantic Lithium agreement, which has been under scrutiny as Ghana prepares to commercialise its first large-scale lithium project. The anticipated ratification of the deal would pave the way for the development of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in the Central Region, positioning Ghana as a key player in the global energy transition minerals market.
The meeting — the final parliamentary session of the year — is also expected to feature the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in mid-November.
Two newly elected NDC legislators, Bernard Bediako Baidoo (Akwatia) and Professor Alidu Seidu (Tamale Central), will be sworn in during the session. The Appointments Committee of Parliament will also vet and consider the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for the position of Chief Justice.
Beyond these key agenda items, lawmakers are expected to deliberate on a number of bills, motions, and policy statements from various government ministries and agencies before Parliament rises for the year.
The session is expected to be pivotal as it combines environmental policy reform with strategic mineral sector decisions, setting the tone for Ghana’s evolving approach to sustainable natural resource management.
