Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed serious concerns about Ghana’s legislative body still functioning as ‘tenants’ in their own chamber after 33 years of constitutional democracy. He emphasized that the lack of full ownership of the infrastructure undermines Parliament’s independence.
“Many people don’t realize that even though we have been a Parliament in the Fourth Republic for 33 years, we are still tenants in the very infrastructure we occupy. Parliament, which serves as the anchor of democracy, is not properly housed,” he revealed.
He made these remarks last Friday during the swearing-in of Ghana’s Open Parliament Steering Committee. Bagbin further noted that the Executive maintains control over the premises, which limits Parliament’s autonomy.
“If you want to exit through the entrance you used to come in, it will be secured and locked, preventing you from passing through, because we do not have possession of our current location. It remains under the control of the Executive.”
Bagbin said Parliament is ‘fighting seriously’ to secure full control of its physical space.
The Speaker highlighted a series of reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, civic participation, and public engagement under the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
Bagbin stated that the commissioning of the Parliamentary Museum on 6 January 2025 is aimed at preserving Ghana’s legislative heritage. “We have secured a copy of the Bond of 1844… The United Kingdom’s archival department unearthed it, and it is now in our Parliamentary Museum,” he disclosed.
A bigger museum complex, he said, will be built to document Ghana’s parliamentary journey from the Gold Coast era to present-day Ghana.
The Speaker outlined several new structures and initiatives:
1. Department of Public Engagement, Media Relations and Broadcasting; Created to make Parliament more accessible.
2. Visitors’ Centre: A new centre to process and guide the public during tours and visits.
3. Citizens’ Bureau: A bridge between Parliament and civil society for feedback and participation.
4. Democracy Card: A new tool to promote cooperation between Parliament and governance partners.
“These reforms are meant to open up Parliament to the people, not only in Ghana but to the world.”
