Accra: Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, has defended the Business Committee of Parliament’s decision to comply with the time allocations for asking questions and for reading statements in the House. He stated that the decision aims to reduce the duration spent in the Chamber, which is intended to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament (MPs).
According to Ghana News Agency, during a debate on the Business Statement for week eight, ending Friday, July 25, 2025, Mr Ayariga, who is also the Chairman of the Business Committee, emphasized that the time restrictions were not about dictatorship but about addressing health concerns. He highlighted that extended hours in Parliament, sometimes stretching until 10 or 11 pm, pose significant health risks to MPs. Ayariga revealed instances where MPs reached out to him, requesting intervention due to the lengthy hours, particularly during discussions like those on the Scholarships Authority Bill.
The Business Committee’s proposal outlines a daily schedule where an hour is dedicated to asking and answering questions, an hour for reading statements-with an average of three statements from MPs-and three hours for government business. This results in a total of five hours of parliamentary sitting per day. Mr Ayariga noted that these time allocations are clearly defined in the Standing Orders 77(2), 94, and 216, respectively.
Earlier, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, the Member for Kwadaso, voiced some concerns regarding the recommendations in the Business Statement. He urged the leadership of the House to ensure MPs can exercise their oversight over the executive branch to foster transparency and accountability.