Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has disclosed that Parliament will work on a Free Senior High School (SHS) Bill to formalize the government’s policy into law.
He stated that the bill, once passed, will ensure that the implementation of free SHS becomes mandatory for any future government.
“This bill, if considered by the House, will make it mandatory for the government to implement free SHS. No government would have the right to say they are not going to enforce it because there will be a law. A citizen can apply to the court to enforce this right,” Afenyo-Markin stated during a media briefing with the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC).
During the briefing, which marked the resumption of Parliament’s business, Afenyo-Markin outlined the legislative agenda, highlighting several critical bills.
These include the Presidential Transition Bill, the Consumer Protection Bill, the Housing Authority Bill, the Architects Registration Bill, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office Amendment Bill.
He said, “The consumer protection bill is high on the table and will address many issues critical to our people.”
He emphasized the bill’s importance in safeguarding consumer rights and enhancing market fairness.
Regarding the Housing Authority Bill, Afenyo-Markin underscored its significance in addressing the nation’s housing challenges.
These, he said, are very critical to the people hence the need for regulatory frameworks to manage urban development and improve housing accessibility.
The Environmental Protection Agency Bill was also highlighted as a key piece of legislation aimed at updating the country’s environmental laws.
“There have been many issues with our current environmental protection laws, which are quite old. This new bill aims to address those concerns,” Afenyo-Markin explained.
Speaking on the upcoming December elections, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the media’s role in ensuring responsible reporting and maintaining national stability.
The country, he said, will depend on the media to ensure that unnecessary sensationalization of issues is avoided as the nation approaches the elections.
He said. “You should act as a restraining tool on us as politicians.”
He called for a collective effort to safeguard Ghana’s democratic and developmental progress and stated. “Let’s cherish and value what we have. Be proactive, and address issues of misgovernance and lack of due diligence. The Ghana we desire will be the Ghana we get.”