By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Mar. 04, GNA – Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has emphasised the need for collective efforts to empower all citizens, particularly women, youth and marginalised groups to ensure a meaningful political decentralisation in Ghana.
“We must recommit ourselves not just in words but in action towards a decentralized system that truly brings development to the doorstep of every community, leaving nobody behind,” he said.
Speaker Bagbin made the remarks at the 2026 edition of the Speaker’s Breakfast Forum (SBF), organised by the Office of Parliament in partnership with the STAR-Ghana Foundation in Accra on Wednesday.
Themed “Parliamentary Decentralization: Taking Parliament Closer to the People,” the forum brought together key stakeholders, including Members of Parliament (MPs), District Assemblies, academia, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, to deliberate on decentralization.
Speaker Bagbin highlighted Ghana’s progress in decentralization since 1993, noting that reforms were needed to address the changing parliamentary landscape.
He said: “A decentralised system is one where everyone has a seat at the breakfast table… All citizens should be at the table, and none should be on the menu.”
He acknowledged Parliament’s strides in openness and announced that plans were underway to extend parliamentary engagement to local government structures, with initiatives like live broadcasts, sign language interpretation and outreach programs.
The Speaker urged lawmakers to communicate in accessible language, saying, “Don’t use big words on the floor… Bring your big English down to the level of the people.”
Dr. Wisdom Agape Newman, an expert in Public Administration, who made a presentation on behalf of Professor Badu Agyeman, a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, outlined actionable proposals to guide the national conversation on decentralization.
He cited steps that included validating the concept, establishing a working group, and developing a rollout framework.
“A national forum to validate concepts and identify priorities; a working group to develop an implementation plan and institutional models; a rollout framework to include policy, monitoring, and sustainability plans; and piloting in selected constituencies with evidence-based evaluation are essential,” he said.
Dr. Newman explained that the initiatives aimed to bring parliament closer to the people, ensuring structured presence and accountability.
Mr. Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, the Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, said the SBF was a vital platform for discussing critical national issues that focused on decentralizing Parliament and enhancing citizen engagement.
He highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue, leveraging the Speaker’s office, and addressing challenges like citizen disconnection and limited knowledge of parliamentary functions.
Mr. Tanko said the theme centered around making Parliament more accessible and responsive to Ghanaians.
He, therefore, expressed optimism about the discussions yielding actionable recommendations to strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance.
The Executive Director expressed appreciation of the STARR-Ghana Foundation and Parliament collaboration that will yield concrete outcomes.
Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, said parliamentary decentralisation was a constitutional necessity for inclusive and accountable governance.
“It’s about sharing legislative authority with the people and empowering local voices,” he said.
He mentioned physical absence and systematic pressures as challenges that MPs faced in representing their constituents to promote decentralization.
Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, emphasised that parliamentary decentralization could strengthen oversight, enhance citizen engagement, and build institutional trust.
Mr. Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the Deputy Majority Leader, speaking on behalf of Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, called on Parliament to connect with citizens, build trust and reflect community needs to enhance democratic participation.
Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament, said constructive dialogue, inclusivity, and responsiveness to Ghanaians strengthened Parliament’s role in decentralisation.
Mr. Andrew Amoako Assiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker, said as Ghana moved forward, the emphasis was on strengthening legal frameworks, promoting inclusive participation, and ensuring government was reachable and responsible.
“The decentralisation drive is seen as a reaffirmation of democratic values, a development strategy, and a promise to make government a lived experience for all Ghanaians,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah