Ghana's Speaker of Parliament Emphasizes Importance of Strong Committees

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has highlighted the crucial role of strong and effective parliamentary committees in Ghana's democratic governance. Speaking at the Annual Parliamentary Committees Leadership Programme 2026, he emphasized that committees are central to Parliament's work. According to him, the strength of Parliament should not be measured solely by the number of laws passed or debates held, but also by the quality of work done by its committees.

Mr. Bagbin noted that much of Parliament's important work takes place within committees, where bills receive detailed examination, government policies are reviewed, and public institutions are held accountable. He stressed that committees provide a platform for citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to contribute to Parliament's decisions. Furthermore, he warned lawmakers against rushing the passage of bills, citing the risk of poor legislation that could damage Parliament's reputation.

The Speaker revealed that Parliament had to recall about four draft bills for further consideration after they had already been passed. He cautioned lawmakers against allowing haste to compromise the quality of legislation. Mr. Bagbin emphasized that MPs would ultimately be held responsible for laws passed by Parliament and urged committee members to take their legislative responsibilities seriously.

Mr. Bagbin also called for stronger oversight of public institutions, stating that Parliament's responsibility goes beyond monitoring the Executive to examining governance as a whole. He emphasized that committees must scrutinize public expenditure, assess government policies, and ensure that public institutions account for their management of entrusted resources.

The Speaker urged committee chairpersons and ranking members to improve their leadership skills and work together to resolve disagreements. He emphasized that effective committee leadership requires guiding discussions, considering different opinions, following parliamentary procedures, and making decisions in the national interest.

Mr. Bagbin encouraged members to take advantage of the leadership programme to improve their knowledge and strengthen their ability to perform their duties. He expressed hope that the training would help make Parliament more respected and effective over the next two years. The programme aims to equip committee members with the skills needed to lead effectively.

Ultimately, Mr. Bagbin urged committee chairpersons and ranking members to accept their shared responsibility for ensuring that parliamentary committees function effectively. He emphasized that a Parliament with weak committees cannot be effective, and that strong committees require purposeful and competent leadership. The Speaker's remarks underscore the importance of effective committee leadership in Ghana's parliamentary system.

Key points

• A Parliament with weak committees cannot be effective, according to Ghana's Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.