Parliament has begun stakeholder consultations on the proposed Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025, with a public hearing convened by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Security and Intelligence in collaboration with the leadership of the Committee on Defence and Interior.
The Chair of the Select Committee on Security and Intelligence, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who is also the Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, said the hearing followed the formal laying of the Bill before the House, its referral to the Committee, and subsequent gazetting to invite public input.
According to Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings, the decision to open the process to the public was intentional, given the far-reaching implications of the legislation.
She noted that laws governing security and intelligence must not be shaped solely within Parliament but should also reflect the experiences of practitioners on the ground and the rights of citizens affected by such laws.
The public hearing brought together security professionals, civil society organisations, subject-matter experts and members of the public, all of whom were invited to submit memoranda and share their perspectives on the Bill.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings said the engagement is aimed at ensuring the proposed law is practical in its application, balanced in its safeguards and responsive to real operational realities within the country’s security architecture.
She stressed that the ultimate goal of Parliament is to pass legislation that strengthens national security and intelligence oversight while firmly upholding the rights of citizens.
“Our objective is to produce legislation that is relevant, credible and effective, not just for the present, but long after the work of the 9th Parliament is completed,” she stated.
