Parliament has been urged to strengthen efforts to restore public confidence in democratic governance by effectively implementing the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Ghana.
The call was made in a joint statement by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament for Tempane and Ho West, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba and Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, during proceedings on the floor of Parliament last Friday to mark the 2026 Open Government Week, observed from May 18 to 22.
According to the lawmakers, stronger public trust in state institutions can be achieved when government systems operate with transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens.
“The Open Government Partnership remains a valuable platform for Ghana to deepen democratic governance and rebuild public trust. Ghana is creating an ecosystem that links national reforms with parliamentary openness, local innovation, civil society engagement, and active citizen participation,” they stated.
The OGP is a global initiative that encourages governments at both national and local levels to commit to transparency, accountability, and improved governance while strengthening efforts to combat corruption. It is managed through a partnership between governments and civil society organisations.
The legislators highlighted Ghana’s participation in the OGP since 2011, noting that it has led to major reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
Among the notable achievements they mentioned were the passage and implementation of the Right to Information Act, the establishment of a Public Beneficial Ownership Register, and reforms within public financial management systems.
They also pointed to Parliament’s contribution through the introduction of an Open Parliament Action Plan, the formation of an OGP Caucus, and the establishment of an Open Parliament Steering Committee chaired by the Speaker of Parliament.
The MPs further revealed that Ghana had received both continental and international recognition for its reform efforts, including the African Regional Award at the 2023 OGP Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, for initiatives promoting accountability through Public Accounts Committee activities and audit reforms.
Despite the progress made, the lawmakers stressed that preserving these gains would require stronger political commitment and financial support from both Parliament and the Executive.
They called for broader stakeholder engagement across the country, stronger institutional involvement by Parliament in the OGP process, and the passage of pending legislation needed to strengthen transparency and accountability further.
“It is important that this implementation is viewed not as a donor-driven initiative but as a national reform agenda jointly owned by Parliament, the Executive and the people of Ghana,” they said.
Adding to the debate, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, said the OGP should move beyond rhetoric and serve as a practical mechanism for accountability and transparency.
He argued that governments should proactively communicate with citizens on important national matters and ensure that open governance becomes a visible reality in the lives of Ghanaians rather than remaining a theoretical concept.
Meanwhile, the NDC MP for Kumbungu, Hamza Adam, outlined the progress achieved by the Parliamentary OGP Caucus since its establishment.
He noted that the caucus had actively engaged ministries, departments, and agencies to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, adding that practical collaborations with institutions and civil society organisations were already underway.
The Second Deputy Minority Whip and NPP MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, expressed concern about what he described as a growing culture of silence in the country.
He emphasised the importance of protecting free speech and warned against actions that may discourage citizens from openly discussing governance and national issues.
The NDC MP for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman, also argued that while democracy and open governance encourage wider participation, freedom of speech must be exercised responsibly and within the framework of the law to maintain peace and national stability.
He stressed that citizens have both rights and responsibilities, insisting that freedom of expression should be exercised in ways that protect national unity and social order.
