Speaker Opens 2026 Parliamentary Committees Leadership Programme, Urges Stronger Oversight

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has officially opened the 2026 Parliamentary Committees Leadership Programme in Accra, calling on committee heads to elevate their leadership and oversight to drive effective parliamentary governance. Organized by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), the high-level workshop convened under the theme "Enhancing Committee Leadership for Effective Parliamentary Governance." The initiative aims to equip committee executives with the essential tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate increasingly complex legislative responsibilities.

​Addressing participants during the opening ceremony, Speaker Bagbin underscored the foundational role parliamentary committees play in sustaining a robust democracy. He noted that committees serve as the engine room of Parliament, bearing the heavy responsibilities of scrutinizing legislation, monitoring government policies, examining public expenditure, and holding public institutions accountable. He urged committee leaders to approach their mandate with unyielding integrity, fairness, and a commitment to evidence-based decision-making.

​Highlighting the need for continuous professional growth, the Speaker encouraged Members of Parliament to actively embrace learning opportunities and cultivate bi-partisan cooperation across political divides. He emphasized that the true impact and credibility of Parliament depend far less on floor debates in the main Chamber and far more on the depth, thoroughness, and quality of work produced within committee rooms.

​In his concluding remarks, Speaker Bagbin stressed that committee work must deliver tangible results through consistent follow-through. He charged lawmakers to establish robust systems for monitoring and enforcing committee recommendations to ensure executive implementation. By sharpening their oversight capabilities, Speaker Bagbin noted, parliamentary committees can better safeguard public resources and uphold the trust placed in them by the electorate.

@Volta Today