Parliament holds public hearing on security and intelligence agencies bill

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Security and Intelligence, has convened a public hearing to consider the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025.

The hearing was held jointly with the leadership of the Committee on Defence and Interior following the laying of the Bill before Parliament and its subsequent referral to the Committee. The Bill was duly gazetted and the general public invited to submit memoranda as part of the process.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings indicated that the approach was deliberate, noting that legislation of such nature must be shaped not only within Parliament but also through contributions from practitioners and citizens whose rights it seeks to protect.

According to her, the hearing provided an opportunity to engage security practitioners, civil society organisations, experts, and members of the public. She stated that the engagement is intended to ensure the Bill is practical in application, balanced in safeguards, and responsive to operational realities.

She added that the objective is to produce legislation that strengthens national security and intelligence oversight while upholding citizens’ rights, and that remains relevant, credible, and effective beyond the tenure of Members of the 9th Parliament.