The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has engaged with civil society organizations (CSOs) and Think Tanks to enhance collaboration and improve Parliament’s commitments to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. In a forum with approximately fifty CSOs, Speaker Bagbin stressed the need for a governance system that goes beyond traditional democracy, advocating for inclusivity and participatory governance where Civil Society is a core pillar.
Recognizing the critical role of CSOs in strengthening democracy, he emphasized their contributions to providing research and data that inform policymaking. The Speaker, referenced key parliamentary initiatives, including anti-corruption efforts and local government reforms, made possible by civil society input.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, which continues to champion open governance in Ghana.
“With Ghana’s top ranking in the 2022 Africa Open Parliament Index, these reforms reflect Parliament’s commitment to enhancing its democratic processes through a continuous partnership with civil society”, he noted. The Speaker, however, called for more substantial gender equity initiatives in governance and urged support for the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 ACT 1121.
The Speaker commended the civil society for helping Parliament become one of the most open institutions in Africa. He presented copies of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, to the CSOs to support their ongoing role in holding Members accountable.
Some Members of Parliament in attendance included 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, along with the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Deputy Clerk (IMS) – Dr./Mrs. Gloria S. Kumawu, and other officials of the Parliamentary Service.
The CSOs included IMANI Africa, the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-GH), Parliamentary Network Africa, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Star Ghana, ACEPA, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Gender Center for Empowering Development, the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), the Legal Resource Centre, and Youth Advocate Ghana.
