Accra: Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, has called for sustained dialogue between Parliament, citizens, civil society organisations (CSOs), and academia, emphasizing that workshops and one-off engagements alone cannot 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, Mr Bagbin reiterated that the success of Parliament's open government initiatives would be measured by actions following such engagements.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Bagbin highlighted that workshops alone are insufficient to transform the relationship between Parliament and citizens, institutionalise evidence-informed policy making, or strengthen democratic accountability. The session coincided with Parliament's debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy. Mr Bagbin underscored the critical nature of public financial management as one of Parliament's most significant responsibilities, as decisions related to taxation, borrowing, public expenditure, debt sustainability, and resource allocation profoundly influence the lives of Ghanaians.
Mr Bagbin urged various parliamentary committees to view the engagement as the beginning of a continuous institutional relationship rather than a one-time event. He stressed the importance of institutionalising partnerships with research institutions and CSOs throughout the budget cycle, legislative scrutiny, and oversight processes. The Speaker emphasized the necessity of building a lasting partnership founded on trust, guided by evidence, and dedicated to national interest and the common good.
Furthermore, Mr Bagbin commended the Citizens Bureau for enhancing Parliament's accessibility, transparency, and understanding, describing it as a bridge between Parliament and the public. He also expressed gratitude to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), the World Bank, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for their support of democratic governance initiatives. Acknowledging feedback on challenges faced by some partners, Mr Bagbin encouraged direct engagement with his office to address these concerns.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as 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. Mr Bagbin concluded by stating that collective efforts can deepen democratic accountability, promote sound economic governance, and build a stronger, more prosperous Ghana for future generations.
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, emphasized the need to address structural challenges and strengthen research and development. Panelists agreed on the necessity 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 was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Parliament's legislative drafting, oversight, and representation functions in line with Ghana's Open Parliament Plan.