Parliament has intensified its continental Anti-Corruption advocacy by calling on African legislatures to forge stronger partnerships with oversight institutions and civil society organisations to promote transparency and accountability.
The call was made by Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Vice Chair of Parliament’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, during the African Open Government Conference held in Rabat.
He said strengthening Anti-Corruption systems across Africa requires practical collaboration between lawmakers, audit institutions, the media, and watchdog organisations.
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According to Hon. Acquah, effective Anti-Corruption reforms must move beyond symbolic commitments and empower civil society to play an active role in monitoring government performance and safeguarding public resources.
Addressing delegates from 16 African countries, the Akim Oda MP urged parliaments to work more closely with organisations such as Transparency International and national audit institutions to enhance governance oversight.
He also encouraged stronger engagement between parliaments and the media to improve public understanding of governance reforms and strengthen democratic participation.
Hon. Acquah pointed to several reforms introduced by Ghana’s Parliament, including:
- The establishment of a bipartisan OGP Caucus
- The implementation of an Open Parliament Action Plan
- Live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings
- A digital dashboard to track governance commitments
These innovations, he said, provide practical examples for other African countries seeking to deepen transparency and citizen participation.
The conference also marked the launch of the African Network of Open Parliaments, designed to facilitate the exchange of best practices in transparency, data management, and digital innovation.
Officials said the initiative will help strengthen democracy, improve citizen engagement, and keep young people informed about parliamentary activities across the continent.
Ghana joined the Open Government Partnership in 2011 and has gained international recognition for its governance reforms under Alban Bagbin.
Parliament ranked first in West Africa in the Africa Open Parliament Index in 2022 and retained that position in 2025, placing second on the continent behind South Africa.
The Rabat conference brought together policymakers, civil society groups, and development partners to advance participatory democracy and promote African-led governance solutions.