By Valentia Tetteh
For decades, Ghana’s Parliament has stood at the heart of the country’s democratic evolution, serving as the institution where laws are made, governments are held accountable and the voices of citizens are represented in national decision-making.
From the era of the Legislative Assembly through to the Fourth Republic, Parliament has gradually transformed into a more open and participatory institution, reflecting Ghana’s growing democratic maturity. Over the years, parliamentary proceedings that were once accessible to only a few within the chamber are now increasingly reaching millions of citizens through media coverage, public engagements and live television broadcasts.
That steady journey toward openness is now receiving continental recognition.
The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, says Ghana’s Parliament has been ranked as the second most open legislature in Africa, a milestone he says reflects deliberate reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and public access to parliamentary business.
Speaking during a leadership engagement with the Parliamentary Press Corps in Parliament House on Friday, May 22, 2026, Mr. Ayariga attributed the recognition partly to the work of parliamentary journalists and recent efforts to make parliamentary proceedings more accessible to the public.
“Ghana’s Parliament is ranked second most open legislature in Africa,” he stated.
The Majority Leader explained that although Ghana operates a unicameral parliamentary system, unlike countries such as South Africa which run bicameral legislatures, Ghana’s Parliament continues to gain international recognition for openness and public accessibility.
“South Africa is a bicameral Parliament and they have one position and then we have two, but I believe with subsequent evaluations they will probably review as a Parliament,” he said.
For many observers of Ghana’s democratic journey, the recognition represents more than just a ranking. It reflects years of institutional reforms, increasing media access and efforts to bridge the gap between Parliament and the Ghanaian public.
One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the introduction of live television broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings, a move widely seen as a major step toward deepening transparency and citizen participation in governance.
Mr. Ayariga believes the decision will further strengthen Ghana’s position in future continental assessments.
“Now that we have live television broadcasting of our proceedings, I believe the subsequent evaluations will reflect the progress we are making,” he noted.
Long before the introduction of live telecasts from the chamber, however, parliamentary proceedings largely reached the public through the work of journalists assigned to Parliament House.
For decades, members of the Parliamentary Press Corps have served as the bridge between lawmakers and citizens, translating debates, motions, committee work and legislative decisions into stories accessible to the Ghanaian public.
Recognising that contribution, Mr. Ayariga commended parliamentary journalists for what he described as their dedication to promoting transparency and public understanding of parliamentary work.
“Even before our television broadcasting department started doing live telecast of proceedings, you, the members of the Parliamentary Press Corps, did a yeoman’s job conveying the deliberations in the House to the rest of the country and the rest of the world,” he stated.
The Majority Leader further expressed appreciation to the media for their continued role in strengthening democratic accountability and ensuring that parliamentary activities remain accessible to citizens across the country.
As Ghana’s democracy continues to evolve, Parliament’s growing openness is increasingly being viewed as an important pillar in promoting accountability, public trust and citizen participation in governance.
For many Ghanaians, the recognition of Parliament as one of Africa’s most open legislatures is not only a reflection of institutional reforms, but also a sign of the country’s broader democratic progress on the continent.
