By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, July 29, GNA – Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, has called for sustained dialogue between Parliament, citizens, civil society organisations (CSOs) and academia, saying workshops and one-off engagements alone could not transform democratic governance in Ghana.
Speaking at an information-sharing session on Economic Governance and Public Financial Management organised by the Citizens Bureau of the Parliamentary Service in Accra, Mr Bagbin said the success of Parliament’s open government initiatives would be measured by actions taken after such engagements.
“Certainly workshops cannot transform the relationship between Parliament and citizens. Meetings cannot institutionalise evidence-informed policy making. Engagements cannot by themselves strengthen democratic accountability,” he stated.
The Speaker noted that the session coincided with Parliament’s debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
He described public financial management as “among the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to Parliament.”
“Decisions on taxation, borrowing, public expenditure, debt sustainability and the allocation of national resources shape the direction of our economy and profoundly influence the lives of every Ghanaian,” he said.
“Parliament is charged with the utmost responsibility of ensuring prudence in managing our finite resources. This guard dog role is because governments are addicted to spending.”
Mr Bagbin urged the Economy and Development, Budget, Ways and Means, Independent Constitutional Bodies and Petitions Committees to regard the engagement as the beginning of a continuous institutional relationship rather than an isolated event.
He stressed the need for Parliament to institutionalise partnerships with research institutions and CSOs throughout the budget cycle, legislative scrutiny and oversight processes.
“A Parliament that listens is a Parliament that leads effectively.”
“We must build a lasting partnership founded on trust, guided by evidence and dedicated to the national interest and the common good,” he said.
Mr Bagbin commended the Citizens Bureau for making Parliament’s work more accessible, transparent and better understood, describing it as a bridge between Parliament and the public.
He also expressed appreciation to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), the World Bank and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for supporting democratic governance initiatives.
The Speaker, however, acknowledged feedback on challenges facing some partners and urged them to engage his office directly to address those concerns.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the Open Government Partnership, the Open Government Parliamentary Caucus, the Quarterly Civil Society-Parliament Engagement Forum and the electronic petitions platform, urging citizens to make effective use of them.
“Together we can deepen democratic accountability. Together we can promote sound economic governance. And together we can build a stronger and more prosperous Ghana for generations to come,” he said.
Mr Ebenezer Ahuma Djietror, Clerk to Parliament, called for sustained dialogue, evidence-based budgeting and stronger collaboration with CSOs and academia to deepen democratic accountability.
Professor Robert Darko Osei, Director of ISSER, called for deliberate efforts to address structural challenges while strengthening research and development.
Panelists agreed on the need for greater consensus among the governing elite, stronger institutional ties with parliamentary committees, an enabling environment for academic research, enhanced media capacity and increased investment in parliamentary debate.
The session formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Parliament’s legislative drafting, oversight and representation functions in line with Ghana’s Open Parliament Plan.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Email: [email protected]