The Parliament of Ghana has intensified efforts to formalise its engagement with tertiary student bodies, as stakeholders conclude consultations on a proposed Students Parliament Charter aimed at guiding inclusive and structured interaction with student groupings.
The consultative forum, organised by Parliament’s Department of Public Engagement, brought together representatives from universities, former student leaders and civil society actors to refine the framework ahead of its adoption.
Director of Public Engagement, Supt. (Retd.) Mrs Effia Tenge, said the charter seeks to establish a well-defined, non-partisan platform for students to contribute meaningfully to national discourse. She noted that the initiative is designed to ensure that student perspectives are not only heard but systematically integrated into governance and leadership conversations.
She encouraged participants to actively shape the document, describing the process as a critical opportunity to strengthen youth participation in democratic governance.
Deliberations focused on key governance issues, including membership structures, leadership selection, electoral processes and safeguards for non-partisanship. Stakeholders also emphasised the need for inclusivity, with strong calls for gender balance and adequate representation for persons with disabilities.
While participants broadly endorsed the charter’s non-partisan orientation, they proposed additional measures to prevent political interference. Suggestions included clearer provisions on leadership tenure, succession planning and mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes to enhance transparency and accountability.
The Department of Public Engagement is expected to consolidate feedback from the consultations into a revised draft, which will undergo further review before its formal adoption.
Once operationalised, the charter will institutionalise Student Parliaments as recognised extensions of Parliament’s public engagement architecture, creating a structured pathway for student involvement in governance processes.
Parliament currently has more than 3,000 registered student members nationwide. The initiative is intended to deepen civic education by offering students practical exposure to legislative procedures while encouraging informed debate on issues affecting youth development.
Further consultations are scheduled in the coming weeks with Members of Parliament, university authorities and other key stakeholders to finalise the document.
Participating institutions included All Nations University, Central University, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNIMAC), the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Pentecost University, Wisconsin International University College, the Islamic University College, Ghana, and Accra Technical University, alongside past Student Speakers and civil society organisations.
