By Edzorna francis Mensah
In a significant move toward promoting parliamentary transparency, accountability, and active citizen engagement, the Parliament of Ghana, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), is proud to announce the inaugural “Open Parliament Week”. This groundbreaking event is scheduled to take place over three days in October 2024, aligning with the Parliament’s session.
In a press statement, the Communications Officer for Parliamentary Network Africa, Clement Akoloh, submitted that, “across the world, Open Parliament Week is one of the significant approaches designed to foster a stronger connection between the Parliament and the people (citizens)”.
According to him, the Parliament of Ghana, therefore has taken this step, working with civil society, to ensure that citizens understand the work of their representatives and are able to learn more about the parliament and its procedures. Through this initiative, Parliament will educate the public on its functions, the roles and responsibilities of Members of Parliament, and provide an inside look at the various departments and services within the Parliament of Ghana. The Open Parliament Week is also intended to build trust between citizens and Parliament towards enhancing Ghana’s commitment to open government principles.
Highlights of the Open Parliament Week:
Official Opening Ceremony: The event will commence with an opening session and exhibition launch, led by the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin together with Parliament’s Leadership, setting the tone for this unique occasion.
Exhibitions by Parliamentary Departments and Civil Society Organizations: Throughout the event, selected departments of the Parliamentary Service will present exhibits showcasing the products and services they provide to the public. This includes hands-on displays from civil society organizations and development partners, who will highlight their contributions to promoting parliamentary democracy and good governance in Ghana.
Seminars and Panel Discussions: During the Open Parliament Week, there will be a series of seminars and panel discussions on key national and global topics to encourage dialogue between Parliament, civil society, and the general public.
Observation of Parliamentary Proceedings: The public will have the opportunity to observe live parliamentary sessions from the public gallery, providing them a direct view of Ghana’s legislative process.
Public Engagement and Media Coverage: The event will be widely publicized in traditional media and live-streamed to enable virtual participation of the general public.
Participation and Organization
This event will welcome diverse groups, including civil society organizations (CSOs), think tanks, academic institutions, student parliaments, and the media, allowing for broad-based participation and public interaction with Parliament.