The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has launched a groundbreaking $1.6 million initiative to build the capacity of Members of Parliament for improved economic and financial governance.
The programme, funded by the World Bank and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), will run for an initial period of 18 months and is designed to empower Parliament to play a more active role in fiscal scrutiny, budget analysis, and economic policymaking.
Speaking at the launch at the D.F. Annan Auditorium in Accra on Wednesday, June 18, Speaker Alban Bagbin described the initiative as a renewal of strategic partnerships and a significant leap toward strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions.
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“Parliament is the anchor of democratic governance. As the economic landscape becomes more complex, our institution must evolve to meet the growing demands for accountability and effective oversight,” Bagbin stated.
Training MPs
According to the Speaker, Ghana’s Parliament is increasingly expected to oversee issues such as debt sustainability, public finance management, and equitable resource distribution – tasks which demand new skills and institutional support.
“The challenges of the global financial sector place public finance management and economic supervision at the centre of democratic governance,” Bagbin noted.
He revealed that Parliament had already taken bold steps to respond to these challenges, including revising its Standing Orders for the first time in 23 years to establish 12 new committees. These include the Committees on Economy and Development, Public Accounts, and State Interests, which will benefit directly from the training programme.
The initiative will not only train Members of key economic committees but will also extend support to the newly created Citizens Bureau, the Parliamentary Analysis Office, and the Fiscal Council of the State.
According to the Speaker, this will strengthen institutional capacity beyond individual MPs and ensure continuity in economic governance practices.
He said, “This initiative is not just about training. It is about institutional transformation and systems strengthening to ensure that Parliament is equipped to legislate, scrutinise, and represent with impact.”
The Speaker expressed deep appreciation to the World Bank and UK FCDO for their confidence in Ghana’s Parliament and for committing resources to support democratic and economic development.
“This $1.6 million support facility is a reflection of the trust our international partners have in our institution. It is also a testament to their commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Ghana,” he affirmed.
He also urged all MPs and staff, particularly the Office of the Clerk to Parliament, to fully embrace the programme and commit to its success.
The Speaker declared as he formally launched the programme: “I now have the singular honour and privilege to declare the Parliamentary phase of the Public Financial Management for Service Delivery Programme—under the theme ‘Building the Capacity of Parliamentarians for Economic and Financial Management’—duly launched.”
The event was attended by senior MPs, the Clerk to Parliament, development partners, diplomats, and others.
The initiative marks a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to enhance democratic accountability and ensure prudent public financial management in the service of national development.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, commended the World Bank Group and the FCDO for the assistance and described the $1.6 million facility as a significant milestone in the collective effort and shared commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.
“As Clerk to Parliament, I reaffirm the Parliamentary Service’s unwavering commitment to providing the administrative and technical support necessary for the full realisation of the project’s objectives.”
Mr. Djietror emphasised that Parliament deeply values this timely and strategic collaboration, expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly enhance the capacity of Parliamentary Committees and individual Members of Parliament to scrutinise public expenditures, oversee budget implementation processes, and hold public institutions accountable using informed and evidence-based approaches.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com