The Minister of Finance is expected to present the Mid-Year Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday, July 23, with debate on the statement beginning the following day.
The Minority and Majority Leaders will conclude the debate on Monday, July 27, while Parliament is expected to hold an additional sitting on Saturday, July 25, to enable the House to dispose of outstanding business and continue deliberations on the review.
The Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee, Mahama Ayariga, announced this when he presented the Business Statement for the Tenth Week ending Saturday, July 25, 2026, to Parliament last Friday.
He said the proposed Saturday sitting had become necessary because of the volume of business before the House and the limited time available to complete work scheduled for the week.
The Business Committee, he added, had, therefore, appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to make themselves available for the scheduled business of the House.
Saturday sitting
Mr Ayariga explained that the additional sitting would enable Parliament to clear some outstanding business, while continuing debate on the Mid-Year Review of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the 2026 Financial Year.
He expressed the hope that MPs would support the arrangement to ensure the smooth execution of the week's business.
Questions to ministers
As part of the week's programme, four ministers are expected to appear before the House to answer 25 oral questions.
The Minister for Health is expected to respond to 10 questions, while the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources will answer nine questions.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the Minister for Sports and Recreation will each respond to three questions.
The committee indicated that all the questions listed for the week were oral, with no urgent questions scheduled.
Legislative business
The Business Statement also provides for ministers to make statements on government policy, while the Speaker may permit MPs to make statements in accordance with the Standing Orders.
It further indicated that bills may be introduced for first reading, with urgent bills capable of being taken through all the required stages in a single day where necessary.
Papers may also be laid before the House, committee reports presented for consideration and motions debated, together with any consequential resolutions.
Mr Ayariga also drew attention to the growing number of referrals pending before parliamentary committees.
He said there were currently 486 referrals before 27 committees awaiting consideration and reports to the House and urged committee leadership to expedite action on the outstanding matters.
