By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, May 22, GNA– Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, has described Ghana’s Parliament as one of the most open legislatures in Africa, saying it currently ranks second on the continent in terms of transparency and public access.
His comments come as Parliament continues efforts to improve public engagement and legislative transparency through expanded media access and digital outreach initiatives.
Speaking at a Leaders’ Media Briefing in Parliament House, on Friday, Mr Ayariga said Ghana’s parliamentary system had made significant progress in openness, particularly through live broadcasting of proceedings.
“In Africa, we are one of the most open parliaments. In fact, we are number two in Africa. I believe that our aspiration is that we become number one in Africa,” he said.
The Leaders’ Media Briefing is a periodic engagement between the Leadership of the House and the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) at the beginning of every Meeting of Parliament to outline the framework of the Meeting.
It also serves as a platform of interaction between the Leaders, the Media Relations Department of Parliament, and the PPC.
The Majority Leader added that while debates continue over comparative rankings and parliamentary classifications, Ghana’s unicameral system and reforms have contributed to its strong standing.
“There is an issue whether we should be put in the category of those who practise the bicameral parliament. We have a unicameral Parliament. But they have number one, and we followed,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, noted that the introduction of live television broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings had strengthened transparency and could further improve Ghana’s ranking in future assessments.
“Now that we have live television broadcasting of our proceedings, in the next rating they might probably review that and Ghana may climb to the top as a parliament,” he added.
Parliament has in recent years expanded public access through televised sessions, committee hearings open to the media, and increased use of digital platforms to share legislative information.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei