The Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has commended the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, for his leadership in spearheading the economic governance training program for Parliamentarians.
He described the initiative as a ‘historic moment in Ghana’s democratic journey,’ stressing its profound impact on democratic accountability, fiscal discipline, and effective governance through enhanced parliamentary oversight.
Speaking at the launch of the “Building the Capacity of Parliamentarians for Economic and Financial Governance” project at the Justice D.F. Annan Auditorium in Accra on Wednesday, June 18, the Majority Leader emphasised that the initiative is both timely and strategically crucial.
The project, launched in collaboration with the World Bank and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, is designed to bolster parliamentary oversight and promote fiscal accountability.
Hon. Ayariga noted that Parliament’s responsibilities are increasingly extending beyond traditional lawmaking to encompass active engagement in budgetary oversight and resource allocation.
“The work of Parliament goes beyond traditional lawmaking and representation. Economic and financial governance is now firmly at the doorsteps of Parliamentarians,” he stated, underscoring the critical need for Members of Parliament to be well-equipped to meticulously scrutinise public spending, evaluate fiscal policies, and demand transparency in governance.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the UK government, through the FCDO, for its continued dedication to strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions. He also voiced his optimism that this valuable partnership would extend to numerous other endeavours aimed at fostering socio-infrastructural development across the nation.
Elaborating on the broader objectives of the program, Hon. Ayariga stressed that the initiative transcends mere capacity-building and is deeply rooted in the core values of accountability, transparency, and sustainable national development. “This programme will ensure that the country’s developmental choices are inclusive, informed and sustainable,” he affirmed.
The Majority Leader urged all Members of Parliament and staff of the Parliamentary Service to approach the training with a strong sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment. He expressed his hope that the knowledge and skills acquired through this program would translate into more rigorous and informed debates, ultimately leading to stronger parliamentary reports and meaningful positive impacts in communities throughout Ghana.
The launch event was graced by the presence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Bagbin; the Deputy Speakers of Parliament; the Minority Leader; representatives from esteemed development partner organisations; officials from the FCDO; and distinguished members of the diplomatic corps.
The training project is anticipated to empower lawmakers to adopt a more proactive stance in safeguarding public funds and ensuring improved governance outcomes for the benefit of all Ghanaians.