The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged Members of Parliament to take a more active and informed role in Ghana’s budget process, stressing that transparent financial management is essential for the country’s progress.
Delivering a keynote address 2026 Post Budget Workshop in Accra on the theme “RESSETING FOR GROWTH, JOBS AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION”, the Speaker said financial power must be exercised openly and in the interest of the Ghanaian people. He noted that Parliament should not limit itself to reading the budget but must fully participate in analysing and shaping it.
He encouraged MPs to interrogate all budget documents with the help of sector experts so they can understand the details and demand accountability from the institutions responsible for implementation. According to him, effective oversight means monitoring performance, measuring results, and paying attention to recurring issues that continue to hinder development.
Bagbin added that Africa is not inherently poor but suffers from poor management, and the national budget should be used as a tool to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Referring to the Ghana Performance Index from 2020 to 2024, he said the country must begin turning evidence into action as part of a strategic shift to improve economic outcomes.
He reminded legislators that their responsibilities go far beyond approving estimates. Parliament, he said, must serve as a strong counterweight to the Executive, always guided by the national interest. To support this, he proposed increasing consultancy budgets so committees can draw on high-level technical expertise during budget scrutiny.
The Speaker called on MPs to participate fully in all activities related to the budget and to ask the critical questions needed to protect the public interest. He stressed that thorough assessment has a direct positive impact on the ordinary Ghanaian.
Bagbin also pointed out that Ghana’s goal of a 24-hour economy will depend heavily on how well Parliament and the Audit Service play their oversight roles.
He concluded by advising MPs to take their time throughout the budget cycle, engage deeply in all processes, and recognise that their level of involvement will shape what happens in the plenary and, ultimately, the country’s development path.
story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson