Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for deeper, consistent engagement between the legislature and the media, insisting that a strong and informed media is essential for sustaining the country’s democracy.
Speaking at a meeting with editors and senior journalists in Accra, the Speaker said he had long championed the need for Parliament to maintain open dialogue with the media, dating back to his time as Minority Leader more than two decades ago.
He expressed concern that misconceptions still linger about such engagements, with some wrongly assuming that interactions with the media are attempts to influence or compromise journalists.
“There is a perception that when politicians engage the media, they are trying to corrupt them to do their bidding. That is never my intention, and nobody can corrupt the media, particularly these days when we have citizens’ media,” Mr. Bagbin stated.
He stressed that the media remains a “critical partner in development,” arguing that no democratic society can progress without transparent information sharing.
“You cannot develop without information. We share diverse views, synthesise them, agree on a common journey, and move together,” he said.
The Speaker reflected on his long relationship with the press, recalling both criticism and support he received during his early leadership in Parliament from 2001, which he said helped shape his public image and resilience.
Mr. Bagbin also recounted past difficulties in bridging political divides, narrating how a simple effort to build cooperation between the Majority and Minority in the early 2000s was derailed by a sensational headline suggesting he was “dining with the devil.”
Such incidents, he said, demonstrate the media’s enormous influence either for better or for worse.
The Speaker highlighted achievements of the current Parliament, especially during the historic hung Eighth Parliament, where both sides held equal numbers.
He said the situation was difficult to manage, but Ghana succeeded where many developed democracies have struggled.
He noted that the nation’s Parliament has since introduced reforms to make it more inclusive, including allowing committees to be chaired by both Majority and Minority MPs, depending on the nature of the committee.
Mr. Bagbin further disclosed that Ghana’s Parliament has recently been recognised as one of the most open legislatures in Africa, maintaining its ranking in the latest 2024 assessment by civil society monitors.
However, he stressed that sustaining democratic progress requires constant engagement and understanding between Parliament and the media.
“If we are closer and share information, you will not publish what is untrue. It is important we continue to meet often, even after I have left office,” the Speaker told the editors.
Mr. Bagbin reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing a Parliament that is progressive, transparent, inclusive and responsive to the needs of citizens.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House