17

Sep

Women and Youth Rising in Ghana’s Democracy

By Benedicta Naa Odarkor Ablateye, Communications Officer, ACEPA Ghana is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, renowned for its regular elections and peaceful transfers of power. At the heart of this democratic journey is Parliament—the people’s voice, which shapes laws and policies that drive national development. Progress in Women’s and Youth Representation Over the […]

08

Sep

Social Media and Parliaments: A New Era of Engagement – Lessons for Ghana

By Benedicta Naa Odarkor Ablateye, Communications Officer, ACEPA Not long ago, keeping up with parliamentary proceedings meant tuning into the evening news, waiting for the next day’s newspaper, or physically sitting in the gallery. Today, all it takes is a scroll through your phone. According to the World e-Parliament Report 2024, 98% of parliaments now use social media[…]

01

Sep

Absenteeism in Ghana’s Parliament: The Quiet Crisis Undermining Democracy

By Ubeidat Alhassan (EPL Fellow), ACEPA and Rasheed Draman (ED), ACEPA We voted. They took the oath. We expected them in the chamber – debating, lobbying, and working on our behalf. But too often, the seats are empty. This isn’t just about poor attendance; it’s a silent crisis eroding the foundations of Ghana’s democracy. An Empty Seat,[…]

04

Aug

Parliament Without Parity: Is Ghana Failing its Women?

By Benedicta Naa Odarkor Ablateye, Communications Officer, ACEPA Around the world, women’s representation in parliaments is rising, driven largely by deliberate reforms such as gender quotas, reserved seats, and party-level mandates. Countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and Sierra Leone offer instructive examples of how targeted interventions can change the face of political leadership. In Rwanda, a pioneering quota[…]

Parliament Approves Four (4) Deputy Ministers

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Parliament adopted the report of the Appointments Committee and approved four nominations for appointment as Deputy Ministers. The Committee by consensus recommended to the House for the approval of Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, MP for Jomoro, Deputy Minister for Transport, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, MP for Assin North, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs,[…]

28

Jul

Restoring Integrity in Ghana’s Parliament: Rethinking Immunity and Ethics

By Issifu Lampo, Senior Governance Advisor, ACEPA Parliament is a cornerstone of any thriving democracy. It crafts laws, provides checks and balances on executive power, and gives voice to citizens. In Ghana, the legislature plays a critical role in shaping national governance. Yet, recent events have reignited concerns over how ethics and accountability are maintained within the[…]

21

Jul

From Hung Parliament to Supermajority: What Ghana’s Political Shift Means for Journalism

By: Dr. Rasheed Draman, Executive Director, ACEPA July 11 marked a watershed moment in Ghana’s political history.After a rerun of the Ablekuma North constituency election six months after the 2024 general polls, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a commanding supermajority in Parliament. This dramatic shift ends the delicate balance of power that characterized the 8th Parliament[…]

17

Jul

Celebrating the Cornerstone of Democracy: International Day of Parliamentarism and its Significance in Ghana

By Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh The International Day of Parliamentarism, observed annually on June 30, celebrates the essential role parliaments play in upholding democracy, promoting accountability, and amplifying the voices of citizens. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, the day also marks the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889. This year’s theme, “Achieving Gender[…]