The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has held a discussion with civil society organizations (CSOs) and think tanks focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.
Speaking at a forum attended by representatives from approximately fifty CSOs, Speaker Bagbin highlighted the need for a governance model that goes beyond traditional democracy, advocating for greater inclusivity and participatory governance.
He stressed the crucial role of civil society in shaping national policies, providing research, and ensuring that leaders are held accountable.
The Speaker acknowledged the significant contributions of CSOs in driving parliamentary reforms, particularly in anti-corruption efforts and local government restructuring.
He also commended the work of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus in advancing transparency and open governance in Ghana.
“Given Ghana’s top ranking in the 2022 Africa Open Parliament Index, these reforms demonstrate Parliament’s dedication to strengthening its democratic processes through ongoing collaboration with civil society,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin also took the opportunity to advocate for stronger gender equity in governance, urging stakeholders to support the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), and emphasizing the importance of increasing female representation in decision-making roles.
He praised civil society for its steadfast commitment and presented copies of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament to CSOs, underscoring their critical role in ensuring accountability among lawmakers.
The forum was attended by notable Members of Parliament, including Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (MP for Ho West and Chairman of the OGP Caucus), Hon. Emmanuel Akwasi Acquah (MP for Akim Oda and Vice Chair of the OGP Caucus), Hon. Agyeman Prempeh (MP for Ahafo Ano North), and Hon. Abednego Bandim (MP for Bunkpurugu). Key parliamentary officials, such as the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Deputy Clerk (IMS) Dr./Mrs. Gloria S. Kumawu, were also present.
Participating CSOs included IMANI Africa, Ghana Integrity Initiative, Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Parliamentary Network Africa, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Star Ghana, ACEPA, Media Foundation for West Africa, Gender Center for Empowering Development, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), Legal Resource Centre, and Youth Advocate Ghana.
This engagement represents a significant step in Ghana’s democratic progress, reinforcing the concept that governance is a shared responsibility between the state and its citizens.
