Minister for International Development of the United Kingdom, Baroness Chapman, has paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to strengthen bilateral ties and reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s democratic and governance reforms.
The visit, according to Baroness Chapman, was to learn from Ghana’s governance experience and to appreciate the impact of the UK’s longstanding support to the country over the years.
She acknowledged that gender parity remains a challenge across parliaments globally and commended Ghana’s democratic progress underscoring the importance of protecting democratic engagement as a means to meeting the needs of citizens.
The Minister for International Development assured of her country’s commitment towards supporting Ghana’s efforts.
Speaker Bagbin described the visit as a deepening of the age-old Ghana–UK relationship, which he noted has matured in meaningful and impactful ways.
Mr Bagbin who has been associated with Ghana’s parliament since 1993 as legislature and House Speaker mentioned the significant UK assistance to Ghana in the past two decades.
He recalled that in 2007, Ghana received critical UK support in establishing the Public Accounts Committee, which today stands as one of the most vibrant oversight committees of Parliament.
Mr Bagbin mentioned the UK’s technical and financial assistance in the establishment of the Office of Budget and Fiscal Analysis and the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), whose long-term goal is to strengthen Parliament’s public financial oversight.
Other initiatives supported by the UK include the review of the Standing Orders of the House leading to the creation of new finance related committees, as well as the establishment of new parliamentary departments such as the Citizens Bureau, Media Relations, Broadcasting and Public Engagement, all designed to enhance accountability and transparency.
On constitutional reforms, Speaker Bagbin expressed optimism that the UK would support Ghana’s ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaker Bagbin laments the losses Ghana is making as a result of the lack of gender balance and called for support to efforts to mainstream gender equity in the country’s national life.
The UK Government aslso supported key institutions including the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Statistical Service, and several civil society organisations such as the Starr Ghana Foundation and ACEPA.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin on his part emphasised the need for greater support in building the capacity of lawmakers to perform their oversight functions effectively.
He also urged the urgent need for political actors to move away from the excesses that often accompany changes in government and called for improved human rights protections.
The Effutu lawmaker said the minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) which lost power in the 2024 general elections and recently lost the Akwatia by-election draws inspiration from the travails of the governing party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and would work hard in order to return to government.
According to him, the NDC which got disintegrated and lost subesquent by-elections after lossing the 2000 general elections worked harder to reclaim power in the 2008 polls.
The minority leader also praised Speaker Bagbin for setting a precedent in parliamentary leadership over the years.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiamah, assured of the central bank’s continued collaboration with Parliament in strengthening oversight. He noted that the Bank has been a major beneficiary of UK assistance and expressed confidence in the continuation of this partnership.
The UK Governmet in collaboration with the World Bank in June this year launched a project valued at £800,000 to help build the capacity of Ghanaian Parliamentarians to enhance oversight, accelerate legislative review and promote fiscal discipline.
The 18-month programme is expected to promote transparency and accountability.
By: Christian Kpesese
