Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has renewed calls for increased youth participation in governance and decision-making, stressing that young people must be given meaningful opportunities to contribute to democratic processes.
He stressed that no society can claim to be truly democratic without ensuring that underrepresented groups, particularly children and young people, have a voice in governance.
Mr. Bagbin made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor at the launch of the Parliament & You Education Series.
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“No society can be truly democratic and participatory without creating meaningful opportunities for the underrepresented to be heard and involved.”
“That is why Parliament is committed to using every available platform to amplify the voices of the underrepresented, especially young people,” he said.
The Speaker noted that Parliament has a responsibility to nurture informed and engaged citizens through civic education, adding that children should be regarded as partners in national development and encouraged to actively share their views.
The Parliament & You initiative, launched in partnership with Junior Graphic, will be published as a weekly child-friendly column designed to explain parliamentary processes through stories, illustrations, quizzes, and other interactive content.
Under a memorandum of understanding between Parliament and Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), the Junior Graphic publication is expected to reach at least 50,000 young readers every week across the country.
Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, urged students to take a keen interest in leadership, governance, and national development. He commended Parliament and GCGL for introducing an initiative that makes parliamentary education more engaging and accessible to children and pledged GH¢200,000 to support the programme.
Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, described the launch as a significant step towards decentralising democratic governance and making Parliament more accessible to citizens.
He said initiatives such as breakfast forums and other open parliament programmes demonstrate Parliament’s commitment to ensuring democracy remains relevant and inclusive. He also pledged GH¢100,000 to support the initiative.
To strengthen the programme, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations donated 25 laptops as prizes for competition winners during the first two years of the project. The laptops are expected to encourage learning and boost student participation.
Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, praised the Department of Public Engagement, revealing that its Educational Visitors’ Programme has directly reached more than 44,000 students nationwide since its establishment.
He expressed optimism that initiatives such as the Mini Parliament and Parliament & You would bring Parliament closer to children and deepen civic awareness among young people.