Accra: Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, has described Ghana's Parliament as one of the most open legislatures in Africa, stating that 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.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ayariga made these remarks during a Leaders' Media Briefing held at Parliament House. He highlighted the significant progress Ghana's parliamentary system has made in openness, particularly through the live broadcasting of proceedings. Mr Ayariga expressed the aspiration for Ghana's Parliament to achieve the top position in Africa, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and public accessibility.
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 further noted that while debates continue over comparative rankings and parliamentary classifications, Ghana's unicameral system and reforms have contributed to its strong standing. He mentioned the question of whether Ghana should be categorized with those practicing a bicameral parliament, acknowledging the country's position in relation to others.
Mr. Ayariga, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, pointed out that the introduction of live television broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings had strengthened transparency. He suggested that this development could further improve Ghana's ranking in future assessments, potentially allowing it to climb to the top spot.
In recent years, Ghana's Parliament has expanded public access through televised sessions, committee hearings open to the media, and increased use of digital platforms to share legislative information.