In his opening remarks during Parliament’s recall session on Monday, August 24, 2026, outgoing Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga cautioned politicians against using the chamber to intimidate or discredit law enforcement agencies investigating alleged criminal conduct.
Mr. Ayariga stressed that lawmakers should not regard themselves as a privileged class exempt from prosecution. He emphasised that law enforcement agencies must be allowed to carry out their duties without political interference.
“Crime is crime. We believe that we pass laws in this House so that they will be enforced outside there,” he stated. Responding to concerns raised in Parliament, he warned against attempts to undermine investigative bodies, saying: “When the law enforcement agencies are enforcing those laws, we should not come and stand in this chamber and bastardise them and try to intimidate them and try to give their conduct political colouration.”
He added that such conduct weakens the enforcement of laws and hinders national progress, underscoring that politicians must not expect preferential treatment simply because of their positions. “I have repeatedly said in this chamber that we should not consider ourselves as politicians as being in a special class that can commit crimes and get away with it,” Mr Ayariga said.
He compared the treatment of ordinary citizens accused of stealing relatively small items with the expectations of politicians facing allegations involving significantly larger sums.
“When those who steal goats and fowls and guinea fowls are sent to jail because they stole goats and fowls and guinea fowls, when those who steal rams to perform the outdooring of their children are sent to jail, we, while we steal millions of Ghana cedis as politicians, we think that we belong to a special class and when law enforcement agencies come after us, we will protest,” he said.
Mr Ayariga also cautioned Parliament against interfering in the work of the judiciary, saying such interference could undermine judicial independence. He was reacting to complaints surrounding a judge’s decision to cancel a vacation in order to expedite a case involving an accused person. “I have always said that this House should not be interfering in the work of the judiciary,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said an accused person who believed in their innocence should welcome efforts by a judge to hear and determine the case quickly. He maintained that Parliament must respect the independence of the judiciary while allowing law enforcement agencies to enforce laws passed by the House. “I believe that this country cannot progress with an attitude like that,” he said, referring to attempts by politicians to challenge law enforcement actions through Parliament.
