Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has indefinitely postponed the scheduled resumption of parliamentary proceedings, citing “circumstances beyond my control,” in a development that could delay key legislative business, including the country’s 2026 budget presentation.
In a formal notice issued Monday, Bagbin announced the deferral of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. The House had been slated to reconvene on October 14, following a notice issued on September 29. A new date has not yet been set.
“Pursuant to the notice to summon Parliament dated September 29, 2025, I… hereby give notice that the commencement… is deferred until further notice,” Bagbin stated. No further details were provided regarding the reasons behind the postponement.
The unexpected delay comes as lawmakers were preparing to return from recess to address a slate of pressing national matters, most notably the presentation and debate of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. The budget is considered critical for outlining fiscal priorities and charting the country’s economic path for the coming year.
Analysts warn that prolonged delays in parliamentary activity could hinder policy implementation and disrupt timelines for budget approvals. The Office of the Speaker has yet to respond to requests for clarification on the nature of the unspecified circumstances prompting the deferral.
