Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has commended the United Kingdom for its longstanding support for Ghana’s Parliament and urged deeper collaboration to strengthen democratic governance and constitutional reforms.
He made the remarks on Thursday, September 11, during a courtesy call by the UK’s Minister for International Development, Rt. Hon. Baroness Chapman, at Parliament House in Accra. The meeting brought together representatives of state institutions and civil society organisations.
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Speaker Bagbin described the visit as a celebration of the two nations’ shared democratic values and enduring friendship. He recalled past collaborations with the UK Parliament, including support from the Department for International Development (now the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), which opened up the work of Ghana’s Public Accounts Committee and laid the foundation for institutions such as the Parliamentary Training Institute and the Office for Budget and Fiscal Analysis.
“Today, thanks to that intervention, our Public Accounts Committee is not only open to the public but stands as one of the most vibrant and effective committees of the House,” Bagbin noted.
He emphasised Parliament’s institutional reforms, including the establishment of new standing committees and departments, aimed at enhancing public engagement, media outreach, and citizen participation.
The Speaker identified constitutional limitations as a significant constraint on Parliament’s effectiveness, emphasising the need for reforms to enhance its independence.
“What is holding us back is the hybrid we adopted in our constitution. We are happy the government is leading the country’s quest to reform and revise our 1992 Constitution. We hope once again our good partners like you will be supportive of our efforts to balance the arms of government properly, to make Parliament the true depository of democracy,” he said.
Bagbin also urged collaboration in adopting technology and promoting gender inclusivity in governance.
“On behalf of the Parliament of Ghana, let me express our profound gratitude to the Government and people of the United Kingdom. Your partnership has been invaluable, and your continued support is deeply appreciated,” he affirmed.
Baroness Chapman
Baroness Chapman praised Ghana’s democratic progress and Parliament’s role in consolidating governance. She stressed the importance of openness, citizen participation, and inclusivity, especially regarding women’s representation.
“The participation of women is one of the challenges facing parliaments across the world. We’ve been on a very long journey, and we’re not there yet. But we have made some progress, and we can perhaps discuss that one day as well,” she said.
She noted that legislatures must adapt to societal changes, citing the influence of social media and younger generations’ demand for accountability.
“Without democratic engagement from the people of our countries, hard democracies start to wither, and we must protect that, because it’s a very, very precious thing,” Baroness Chapman cautioned.
Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin
Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, in his remarks, pledged to lead a constructive opposition, describing Speaker Bagbin as a pillar of experience whose leadership continues to inspire both sides of the House.
He recalled Bagbin’s role in rebuilding the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after its 2000 electoral defeat, which paved the way for the party’s return to power in 2008.
“When there is a history of resilience, you can only be inspired by that,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges facing the Minority after losing the 2024 elections, Afenyo-Markin stressed the need to learn from history and focus on capacity building.
“The essence of politics is how you market yourself and get the people’s trust. So you can be uneducated, but once you come in, you are the people’s representative,” he noted, recalling his own early struggles in Parliament until colleagues mentored him on budget analysis.
He praised Ghana–UK parliamentary cooperation, especially training in data management, which he said had improved decision-making.
The Minority Leader urged an end to the vicious cycle of political vendettas between governments and their predecessors, calling instead for consensus on key governance issues to improve citizens’ lives.