The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Monday emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in governance, as the institution marked the International Day of Parliamentarianism.
The event coincided with the inauguration of the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan.
These three activities collectively reflect the nation’s progress in deepening democratic governance and promoting parliamentary openness.
Celebrated annually on June 30, under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the International Day of Parliamentarianism emphasizes the critical role parliaments play in translating the will of the people into inclusive laws, responsive policies and accountable governance.
This year’s theme, “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” challenges parliaments around the world, including Ghana’s Parliament, to adopt measurable and inclusive strategies that ensure gender equity in representation, participation and leadership.
In his address, Mr Bagbin emphasized the importance of collective commitment to strengthening the pillars of openness, accountability, and public trust in Ghana’s democracy.
He said, “Let us recommit ourselves to building a Ghana where our Parliament is acclaimed as the most open, accountable, and responsive in Africa.”
Referencing Ghana’s progress in embracing inclusivity and diversity in its democratic journey, the Speaker noted that Ghana had come a long way, and Parliament ought to lead by example by ensuring that the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act was effectively implemented by all political parties.
He stressed the need for greater female representation in parliament.
“Ghana has made only a 6.6 per cent increment in women’s representation in Parliament over the past 30 years, ranking 137th out of 168 countries,” he assessed.
Touching on the Open Parliament action plans, the Speaker explained that the plan was centered on four pillars, namely transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and harnessing technology and innovation to make parliamentary information accessible.
He urged Ghanaians to seize opportunities created by the Open Government Partnership to demand transparency and hold leaders accountable.
While noting Ghana’s parliamentary democracy had made significant progress; the Speaker cited that significant challenges persisted.
He mentioned limited citizen access to legislative processes and low levels of youth and gender inclusion as some of the challenges. “The Open Parliament action plan aims to address these issues and create a more transparent and inclusive parliament,” the Speaker said.
