Ghana’s Parliament inaugurated the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, which promises to be a significant step towards boosting openness, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
S. K. Alban Bagbin, Rt. Hon. Speaker of Ghana’s 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic, presided over the inauguration event.
Ghana, one of the OGP’s 77 member countries worldwide, has actively contributed in developing good governance principles through collaborative efforts between governments and civil society organisations.
Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairman of the National OGP Steering Committee, stressed the importance of encouraging transparency and openness in Ghana during the occasion. He went on to say, “If Parliament takes it seriously, it will help the whole country to do it easily.”
He emphasised Ghana’s experience with the OGP, noting that the country joined in September 2011 and has since successfully completed four action plans, with the fifth expected to be published by the end of December.
Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin emphasised the need of Parliament actively participating in open government reforms in his remarks. He added that Parliament is in the midst of finalising its Open Parliament Action Plan in order to match with the promises and milestones established in the Fifth National Action Plan, which is expected to go into effect later this year.
“I am happy to announce that the plan will soon be finalized and launched,” declared Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin. He encouraged Members of Parliament to actively collaborate with OGP stakeholders, including civil society organizations, and utilize oversight tools such as parliamentary questions to ensure the successful implementation of commitments made in National Action Plans.
The members of the OGP caucus are Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (MP-Ho West), AMA Pomaa Boateng (MP-JUABEN), Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor (MP-South Dayi), Dakoa Newman (MP-Okaikwi South), Kinsley Nyarko (MP-Kwadaso), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP-La Dadekotopon), Hon. Hamza Adam (MP-Kumbungu), Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP-Krowor), Suleman Adamu Sanid (MP- Ahafo Ano North), and Alexander Akwasi Acquah (MP-Akim Oda).
The establishment of the OGP Caucus intends to increase Ghana’s Parliament’s oversight role in ensuring the efficient implementation of the National OGP commitments and encouraging a more transparent and engaged legislative process.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana