Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on the newly inaugurated Open Parliament Steering Committee to demonstrate firm commitment and put its shoulders to the wheel in the full implementation of the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The plan, he said, is central to strengthening transparency, accountability, civic participation, and Ghana’s global leadership in open governance.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, the Speaker said Ghana’s Open Parliament Action Plan, aligned with the national Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework, provides a clear and strategic guide that should be executed with urgency and discipline.
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He emphasized that the Action Plan offers the strategic framework to guide all stakeholders in fulfilling their Open Parliament commitments within the stipulated timeframe of 2024 to 2028.
He noted that the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) of the OGP recently recognized Ghana’s Open Parliament commitment as one of the two most promising initiatives among 15 commitments under the 2023–2027 National Action Plan review.
“This recognition positions Ghana as one of the few countries delivering transformative open-government outcomes. I urge the Steering Committee to prioritize the firm implementation of the Open Parliament commitment,” he said.
Reflecting on Ghana’s performance in the Open Parliament Index (OPI), the Speaker recalled that Parliament ranked first among 13 West African parliaments in the inaugural 2022 assessment, which evaluated transparency, accountability, and civic participation.
When the index expanded to 33 countries—including bicameral parliaments, Ghana placed second overall but retained its lead as the most open unicameral parliament on the continent.
“So please, we are still first among unicameral parliaments. But we want our Parliament to reclaim the top spot overall, whether bicameral or unicameral,” Bagbin stressed.
Bagbin commended civil society organizations (CSOs) for working closely with Parliament to champion open governance reforms and reaffirmed his full support for the Steering Committee, emphasizing Parliament’s determination to execute all commitments under the Open Parliament Action Plan.
Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Akanvariba Lamisi, pledges government support
Delivering remarks, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Akanvariba Lamisi Lydia Tempane, who swore in the members, assured the committee of full government support.
“We stand ready to work with Parliament, civil society, and all stakeholders to advance reforms that make governance more transparent,” she said.
She described the ceremony as an opportunity to turn the Action Plan into time-bound achievements that will benefit Parliament, the people of Ghana, and our regional partners.
The Minister urged the Committee to execute this mandate with diligence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the public good, especially as key legislation under the National Action Plan awaits passage.
“This swearing-in must be a pivotal moment to ensure not only full implementation of the Open Parliament Action Plan but also the allocation of necessary budgets to fulfil all commitments,” she added.
Clerk of Parliament Djietror: Open government is a democratic duty
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described open government as both a democratic responsibility and a moral obligation.
According to him, governance exists for particular ends, and the end of governance is human development. He stressed that public trust, which hinges on integrity, is the foundation for effective governance.
“Integrity is not a currency with which you can procure food or necessities of life, yet it is the only currency that procures trust,” he noted. He urged the Steering Committee to see itself as gatekeepers and watchdogs for transparency and accountability.
“Our duty is to discharge this mandate faithfully in the interest of the good people we lead,” he added.
MP Emmanuel Bedzrah: A dream come true
The MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, who also serves on the Steering Committee, said the inauguration marks a dream come true after years of sustained advocacy.
He recounted Ghana’s role in international open-governance efforts, stating, “Our Action Plan comes with commitments that the OGP Core Caucus in Parliament must oversee,” Bedzrah said. “Our duty is to ensure proper oversight, advocacy for funding, and alignment with national OGP commitments.”
He praised Ghana’s model of co-chairing the Steering Committee between Parliament and civil society, unlike other countries where only parliamentary leadership oversees the initiative.
“This clearly shows how open and transparent Ghana’s Parliament is,” he said.
Civil Society Sammy Obeng: We will support and hold Parliament accountable
The Executive Director of Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), Sammy Obeng, reaffirmed civil society’s commitment to collaborate with Parliament while maintaining its watchdog role.
“We accept this role and will support Parliament every step of the way in ensuring that these strategic actions are not only achieved but sustained,” he said.
Obeng noted that Ghana’s Parliament has become a global reference point for openness, with its reforms highlighted prominently during the recent OGP Global Summit.
He cautioned, however, that civil society will remain vigilant.
“When Parliament is not doing things right, we will not rest on our oars,” he said. “The same way Parliament is expected to hold civil society accountable when we fall short.”
The Steering Committee will now begin monitoring, coordinating, and guiding the implementation of the Action Plan over the next four years.
The official Open Parliament Action Plan, launched as part of the celebrations marking the 2025 International Day of Parliamentarianism, is built on four core pillars: transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and the use of technology and innovation. The plan seeks to respond to key democratic deficits, including limited citizen access to legislative processes, low levels of youth and gender inclusion, and weak mechanisms for public engagement and parliamentary follow-up.
The full Steering Committee, inaugurated to oversee the plan’s rollout, includes a blend of parliamentary and civil society leaders and comprise:
- Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (Chair)
- Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Chair of the OGP Caucus in Parliament
- Hon. Alexander Kwasi Aquah, Vice Chair
- Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Clerk to Parliament
- Mrs. Esther Poku-Eduhene, CHRI
- Hajia Hafsatu Sey Sumani – Head of Programmes and Policy Influencing, NORSAAC
- Dr. Michael Augustus Akakpo, CDD-Ghana
- Mr. Jerry Sam, Penplusbytes
- Mr. Samuel Obeng, PNAfrica (Co-Chair)
- Mrs. Afia Tenge, Director of Public Engagement and Secretary to the Committee