Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has raised grave concerns over Ghana’s legislative arm still operating as ‘a tenant’ in their own chamber after 33 years of constitutional democracy.
He noted that the situation where Parliament has no full ownership of the infrastructure it occupies undermines its independence.
“Many of you don’t know that even though we are 33 years old as a Parliament in the Fourth Republic, we are still tenants, even in the infrastructure that we are utilizing. Parliament, the anchor of democracy, is not even properly housed,” he revealed.
He made the remarks last Friday during the swearing-in of Ghana’s Open Parliament Steering Committee.
He added that the Executive still maintains control over the premises, limiting Parliament’s autonomy.
“If you want to move out through the entrance you entered, it will be secured, locked, and you can’t pass through because we don’t have possession of where we are now. It’s still in the hands of the executive.”
Bagbin said Parliament is ‘fighting seriously’ to secure full control of its physical space.
The Speaker highlighted a series of reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, civic participation, and public engagement under the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
Bagbin stated that the commissioning of the Parliamentary Museum on 6 January 2025 is aimed at preserving Ghana’s legislative heritage. “We have secured a copy of the Bond of 1844… The United Kingdom’s archival department unearthed it, and it is now in our Parliamentary Museum,” he disclosed.
A bigger museum complex, he said, will be built to document Ghana’s parliamentary journey from the Gold Coast era to present-day Ghana.
The Speaker outlined several new structures and initiatives:
1. Department of Public Engagement, Media Relations and Broadcasting; Created to make Parliament more accessible.
2. Visitors’ Centre: A new centre to process and guide the public during tours and visits.
3. Citizens’ Bureau: A bridge between Parliament and civil society for feedback and participation.
4. Democracy Card: A new tool to promote cooperation between Parliament and governance partners.
“These reforms are meant to open up Parliament to the people, not only in Ghana but to the world.”