The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, delivered an inspiring address at the Speaker’s Breakfast Forum held at Palms Eagle Hotel, emphasizing Ghana’s strides towards parliamentary decentralization and outlining the path ahead.
In his keynote speech, Speaker Bagbin reiterated the importance of bringing Parliament closer to the people, noting that decentralization is both a constitutional aspiration and a practical necessity for fostering inclusive, accountable governance. He emphasized that legislative authority must be shared with citizens, not confined to the capital, advocating for a system where local voices shape national policies.
He highlighted Ghana’s recent achievements, including legal reforms and structural innovations that have opened Parliament to ordinary citizens through initiatives such as Parliament TV, live streaming, and virtual engagement platforms. These reforms have earned Ghana’s Parliament recognition as the most open unicameral parliament in Africa in 2024 and the most transparent in 2022.
“Parliamentary decentralization is not just about proximity,” Bagbin said. “It’s about empowering local voices, enabling community initiatives, and reinforcing democratic legitimacy at all levels.”
Looking ahead, the Speaker announced plans to extend parliamentary engagements to district assemblies, local markets, and community gatherings. This move aims to facilitate direct citizen participation, making governance more responsive and inclusive. He stressed that meaningful decentralization requires a collective effort to strengthen legal frameworks, ensure effective implementation, and promote inclusive participation, especially for marginalized groups.
Bagbin in conclusion statement reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to making decentralization a lived reality for all Ghanaians, emphasizing that governance should be relevant, reachable, and responsive. He called for continued collaboration and political will to realize this vision, promising that the journey towards a more inclusive Parliament is ongoing.
The forum featured a keynote paper by Prof. Yaw Agyeman Badu of GIMPA, who is expected to provide pragmatic insights into the implementation of decentralization strategies.
As the event ended with a shared commitment to citizen-centered governance, Bagbin humorously wished attendees a good appetite, underscoring the forum’s theme of building consensus and shared progress for Ghana’s democratic future.
