Ghana's Speaker Bagbin Urges MPs to Take Committee Leadership Training Seriously

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on Members of Parliament to prioritize the Annual Parliamentary Committees Leadership Programme. He emphasized that the training is crucial for strengthening parliamentary governance and improving their service to constituents. The programme, organized by the Parliamentary Training Institute, was held in Accra under the theme, “Enhancing Committee Leadership for Effective Parliamentary Governance”.

Addressing participants at the 2026 edition of the programme, Mr Bagbin highlighted the importance of equipping MPs with the skills and knowledge required to perform their legislative responsibilities effectively. He encouraged members to view the programme as an investment in their personal development, Parliament, and the people they represent. According to him, committee leadership goes beyond presiding over meetings, determining agendas, or supervising the preparation of reports.

Effective committee leadership, Mr Bagbin noted, requires the ability to guide collective deliberations, reconcile competing perspectives, uphold parliamentary procedures, and facilitate decisions that advance the national interest. He urged MPs to empower themselves through the programme, emphasizing that it is for their own benefit, Parliament, and the people they represent.

The Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, also spoke at the programme, highlighting the importance of consensus-building and collaboration in parliamentary committee work. He stated that the credibility of MPs is strengthened when diverse perspectives are given fair consideration. According to him, effective committee leadership must be grounded in cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to national development.

Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu called for a broader understanding of the responsibilities of parliamentarians, particularly in their engagement with constituents. He described the ideal parliamentarian as a “generalist”, emphasizing that they must possess a wide range of knowledge to enable them to respond effectively to questions from the people they represent.

The Annual Parliamentary Committees Leadership Programme aims to enhance the leadership capacity of committee members, promote effective legislative work, strengthen parliamentary oversight, and improve governance. The programme is organized by the Parliamentary Training Institute, with the support of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

Key to the programme's success is the participation and commitment of MPs, who must take the training seriously and apply the skills and knowledge gained to their work. By doing so, they can contribute to the effective functioning of Parliament and ultimately, the development of Ghana.

Key points

• The programme aims to enhance the leadership capacity of committee members and promote effective legislative work.