Speaker takes Parliament to local communities for direct participation

March 5, 2026

2 minutes read

Mr Bagbin, (inset) speaking at the forum

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced plans to extend parliamentary sittings to local communities to allow ordinary members of society to participate more directly in the legislative processes.

He explained that the move was aimed at decentralising the work of Parliament and promoting an inclusive governance system.

“This year, we intend to crown our efforts with another giant step. We take a step down to the local government structures. Parliamentary sittings will be extended to the district assemblies, local markets, chief palaces, schools and popular radio stations in small communities where ordinary honourables will have the opportunity to deliberate on matters that shape our nation’s future,” Mr Bagbin said.

Additionally, he said Parliament intended to organise a national conference to engage the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to build their capacity to enhance local governance.

Mr Bagbin was speaking at this year’s Speaker’s Breakfast Forum (SBF), organised in partnership with Star Ghana Foundation in Accra yesterday.

This year’s event was on the theme: “Parliamentary Decentralisation: Taking Parliament Closer to the People.”

The Speaker said efforts were also underway to recruit individuals proficient in local languages to facilitate translation into the national language for better understanding by the citizenry.

According to him, parliament’s efforts at promoting decentralisation, especially in the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments of the Fourth Republic, had been drastic and audacious, earning global recognition.

Mr Bagbin further highlighted initiatives implemented to advance decentralisation, including the establishment of Parliament Television, the Media Relations Department and the Citizens Bureau Department.

“When legislative power is decentralised, oversight becomes more immediate, visible and tangible. Citizens can hold their local leaders accountable, promoting a culture of transparency and ethical governance,” Mr Bagbin said.

He expressed gratitude to Star Ghana Foundation for its longstanding partnership with the SBF and urged participants to champion inclusive governance.

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that parliamentary decentralisation was distinct from administrative decentralisation, which involves the devolution of executive and administrative authority to the MMDAs.

According to him, parliamentary decentralisation involves deliberate institutional arrangements that enable Parliament to engage meaningfully with citizens at all levels without fragmenting its legislative authority.

He therefore urged legislators to support Mr Bagbin’s efforts to promote parliamentary decentralisation and deepen public understanding of Parliament’s work.

The Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, underscored the importance of a well-structured implementation of parliamentary decentralisation anchored on strong political will.

The Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Mr George Kwaku Ricketts-Hagan, said: “By bringing parliamentary processes, oversight and community engagements closer to the people, we will reinforce the idea that governance should be inclusive and grounded in the real experiences of our citizens.”

The Executive Director of Star Ghana Foundation, Mr Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, indicated that the theme for the forum was chosen based on findings from Afrobarometer surveys, constitutional reforms, and past lessons and experiences of Parliament.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, emphasised the need to adequately resource parliamentary decentralisation to achieve its objectives.

Present at the forum were heads of security agencies, legislators, civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, the clergy and traditional rulers.

BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY

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