Africa-Press – Ghana. The Parliament of Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their partnership in promoting democracy, transparency, and accountability.
“Your partnership has been invaluable, and your continuous support is deeply appreciated,” Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin said this in Parliament House, in Accra.
“We look forward to continued cooperation, particularly in areas like IT, gender equity and sustainable development,” he added.
Speaker Bagbin made the remarks during a roundtable discussion among the leadership of Ghana’s Parliament, Baroness Chapman, the Minister for International Development of the UK, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, and other civil society organisations.
The courtesy call was also a platform for Madam Chapman to learn from Ghana’s governance experience and to appreciate the impact of the UK’s longstanding support to the country over the years as well as to strengthen bilateral ties and reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s democratic and governance reforms.
The two Parliaments have collaborated on several initiatives, including transforming the statistical office, revising standing orders, and establishing new committees focused on finance, human rights, and anti-corruption.
These efforts have yielded tangible results, including more transparent public spending and stronger legislative oversight.
The partnership aims to deepen democracy and improve governance in Ghana, with a focus on areas like constitutional reform, gender equity, and citizen engagement.
“We are grateful for the enduring relationship between our parliaments and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation,” Mr Bagbin said.
He recalled that in 2007, Ghana received critical UK support in establishing the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, which today stands as one of the most vibrant oversight Committees in the House.
Mr Bagbin mentioned the UK’s technical and financial assistance in the establishment of the Office of Budget and Fiscal Analysis and the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), whose long-term goal was to strengthen Parliament’s public financial oversight.
“Your partnership has been invaluable, and your continuous support is deeply appreciated,” the Speaker stated.
Other initiatives supported by the UK government included the review of the Standing Orders of the House leading to the creation of new finance-related committees, as well as the establishment of new parliamentary departments such as the Citizens Bureau, Media Relations, Broadcasting, and Public Engagement; all designed to enhance accountability and transparency.
The UK government has also supported key institutions, including the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Statistical Service, and several civil society organizations, such as the Starr Ghana Foundation and the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs.
On constitutional reforms, Speaker Bagbin expressed optimism that the UK government would support Ghana’s ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution.
He, however, lamented the losses Ghana was making as a result of the lack of gender balance and called for support towards mainstreaming gender equity in the country’s national life.
Madam Chapman, on her part, emphasized the importance of Parliaments being visible, accountable, and inspiring to citizens.
“We have made some progress, but there is certainly a need to think about how parliaments could fulfill their duty to scrutinize and hold governments accountable in a way that’s visible to citizens and will inspire citizens to take part,” she said.
She emphasized the challenges parliaments faced globally, particularly regarding women’s participation and democratic engagement.
Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, on his part, emphasized the need for greater support in building the capacity of lawmakers to perform their oversight functions effectively.
He emphasised the urgent need for political actors to move away from the excuses that often accompanied changes in government and called for improved human rights protections.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, said the Minority Caucus, which lost power in the 2024 general elections and recently lost the Akwatia by-election, draws inspiration from the travails of the governing party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and would work hard in order to return to government.
According to him, the NDC, which allegedly got disintegrated and lost subsequent by-elections after losing the 2000 general elections, worked harder to reclaim power in the 2008 polls.
He lauded Speaker Bagbin for setting a precedent in parliamentary leadership over the years.
Mr Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the Deputy Majority Leader and an NDC MP for Cape Coast South, who represented Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, called for strengthened partnership between the Ghana and the UK Parliaments to promote democracy and good governance with a focus on areas like constitutional reform, gender equity, and sustainable development.
He also advocated for collaboration on initiatives to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
Dr Johnson Asiamah, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, assured of the central bank’s continued collaboration with Parliament in strengthening oversight.
He noted that the Bank had been a major beneficiary of UK assistance and expressed confidence in the continuation of that partnership.
The UK government, in collaboration with the World Bank, in June this year, launched a project valued at £800,000 to help build the capacity of Ghanaian parliamentarians to enhance oversight, accelerate legislative review, and promote fiscal discipline.
The 18-month programme is expected to promote transparency and accountability.
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