The reconfigured and expanded debating Chamber of Parliament with modern ICT infrastructure functionalities
The Parliament of Ghana was established by Article 93 (1) of the 1992 Constitution. Three earlier attempts at practicing parliamentary democracy ended abruptly. Ghana gained Independence in 1957 and subsequently suffered the first coup d’état in 1966. The Second Republican Parliament of 1969 lasted only 27 months. On 31 December 1981 the Third Republican Parliament of 1979 was also overthrown. Parliament was therefore suspended until 1993 when the country returned to Constitutional Rule under the 1992 Fourth Republic Constitution.
Parliamentary democracy has been entrenched since the inauguration of the 4th Republic with political power alternating between two political parties, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP). Currently, the membership of Parliament stands at 275.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho presiding over a sitting of the House with the Clerks-at-the-Table in attendance
Legislate, represent and protect the interest of the people of Ghana within the framework of the Constitution, supported by an efficient, non-partisan, innovative and professional Parliamentary Service structured to ensure the dignity of Parliament.
The Hon. Speaker of Parliament seated in his Ceremonial Chair during an Address on the State of the Nation by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the President. Seated immediately to the right of the Speaker is the President followed by Her Lordship Chief Justice while to the left of the Speaker, is the Vice-President. The State of the Nation Address is a duty mandated by the country’s 1992 Constitution which is delivered at the beginning of a Session of Parliament
Goals
Our goals are to strengthen the capacity of Hon. Members of Parliament to effectively perform Parliament’s legislative function by:
- Ensuring Parliament’s representational function is made more relevant to the needs of the public
- Improving the ability of Parliament to effectively perform its oversight responsibility
- Improving effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services
- Ensuring that Parliament has adequate infrastructure to sustain excellence in service delivery
Key initiatives
The Parliament of Ghana is undertaking the following initiatives to enhance the responsiveness of Parliament to the needs of the citizenry:
- Provision of office space for Members of Parliament
- Reconfigured Debating Chamber of Parliament
- Establishment of Parliamentary Training Institute and Scrutiny Office
- Automation of business operations of Parliament
- Review of Standing Orders to empower Committees to conduct independent public investigation into the activities of ministries and state agencies
- Improved stakeholder engagement
- Publication of code of conduct for MPs
The Speaker welcomes President John Dramani Mahama to Parliament. His Excellency the President was attending upon the House to deliver the state-of-the-nation address, a duty mandated by the country’s 1992 Constitution, delivered at the beginning of a Session of Parliament
Inter-parliamentary co-operation
Parliament of Ghana is a member of international parliamentary associations including:
- Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU)
- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(CPA)
- African Parliamentary Union(APU)
- ECOWAS Parliament
- African Caribbean Pacific/European Union(ACP/EU)
- Pan African Parliament(PAP)
- African Parliamentarians’ Network against Corruption (APNAC)
Annually, the Parliament of Ghana hosts more than 20 study and fraternal visits from sister Parliaments from Africa and beyond.
The Mace symbolises the legislative authority of Ghana’s Parliament similar to the linguist’s staff. It precedes the Speaker’s procession and usually stands in front of the Clerk’s table during parliamentary proceedings. The Mace is embossed with various Ghanaian motifs, depicting the various cultures. The head of the Mace is the eagle, the nation’s heraldic bird
Parliament of Ghana
State House, Victoriaborg
Osu-Accra
Ghana
Tel: +233 (0) 302 66 4042
Tel: +233 (0) 302 66 2084
Email: clerk@parliament.gh
www.parliament.gh
