The United Kingdom’s Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, has praised Ghana for its strong commitment to democracy, highlighting over 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary governance.
She shared her admiration during a courtesy visit to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on Thursday, September 11, 2025. As part of her visit, she also engaged with several civil society organisations working within Parliament.
The meeting served as a platform for both Ghana and the UK to share ideas on strengthening parliamentary democracy and deepening collaboration between the two nations.
Baroness Chapman commended Ghana’s democratic progress, saying, “Here in Ghana, you have open, credible elections and peaceful transfers of power. These achievements should never be taken for granted.” She also praised the country’s parliamentary growth, adding, “The work you’ve done over the years to build a strong parliament is admirable. No parliament stands still. In the UK, we also constantly adapt—especially in response to social media and the expectations of young people. Every election brings new members with fresh demands, yet we hold on to the traditions that keep us grounded.”
During the discussion, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin paid a glowing tribute to Speaker Alban Bagbin for his leadership, particularly during the eighth Parliament—where both the Majority and Minority held 137 seats each, with one independent MP holding the balance of power.
He noted that it was the Speaker’s experience and steady hand that ensured stability and promoted dialogue through a historically challenging term.
“Mr. Speaker has always recognized that disagreements are part of politics, but his standard of leadership is one that will be hard to match for years to come,” said Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. “His efforts to reform parliamentary structures and bring Parliament closer to the people truly deserve recognition.”
Strengthening UK–Ghana Parliamentary Ties
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin also spoke about the strong and enduring relationship between the UK and Ghanaian parliaments, describing it as a partnership that continues to yield mutual benefits. He recalled how the UK Parliament supported Ghana’s Public Accounts Committee back in 2007 and later provided technical assistance in drafting Ghana’s new standing orders—reforms that introduced key parliamentary committees and expanded leadership representation.
Mr. Bagbin reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the UK Parliament, stating that both countries will continue working together to uphold democratic institutions and promote good governance.
