By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, April 24, GNA — Parliament’s Department of Public Engagement has held stakeholder consultations on a proposed Student Parliament Charter aimed at formalising and guiding student parliaments across tertiary institutions affiliated with the House.
Speaking at the forum, Superintendent (Retd.) Mrs Effia Tenge, Director of Public Engagement, Parliamentary Service, said the proposed charter is intended to create a structured, inclusive and non-partisan platform where students’ ideas can be heard, debated and refined.
A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday by Mr David Sebastian Damaoh, the Director, Media Relations, Parliamentary Service, announced the proposed charter.
The statement said the Director, Public Engagement, Parliamentary Service, urged students to “actively contribute to shaping the document,” describing the process as “an opportunity to give them a meaningful voice in governance, leadership, and national development.”
Key issues discussed included governance structures, membership, electoral processes, non-partisanship, and inclusion, with particular attention to gender balance and disability representation.
Participants welcomed the initiative as a step towards strengthening civic education and youth participation in democratic processes.
“While participants endorsed the charter’s emphasis on non-partisanship, they called for stronger safeguards against political interference.
“They also proposed clearer provisions on leadership tenure, success planning and electoral dispute resolution to improve transparency and accountability,” it said.
According to the statement, feedback from the consultations will be consolidated into a revised draft for further review option, adding that “once implemented, the charter is expected to formalise Student Parliaments as platforms linked to Parliament and to create a structured pathway for youth engagement in governance.”
The Parliament of Ghana currently has over 3,000 registered student members across Ghana.
The initiative aims to provide students with practical exposure to legislative processes while encouraging debate on issues affecting youth development.
The Department is expected to continue consultations with other stakeholders in the coming weeks, including universities, Members of Parliament, and educators.
Participating institutions included All Nations University, Central University, University of Media Arts and Communication, the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies and the Pentecost University.
The others were Wisconsin International University; Islamic University, Ghana, and Accra Technical University, as well student speakers and civil society organisations.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah