The Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Patricia Appiagyei, has underscored the crucial role of inclusive governance and gender-responsive lawmaking in fortifying democracy.
She stressed that open and inclusive parliaments were essential for a stronger democracy, not only in Ghana but also across Africa.
She, therefore, urged African legislatures to prioritise legislative decisions that positively impacted citizens' lives, and promoted a more responsive and accountable governance system.
Mrs Appiagyei said this when she delivered a keynote address on behalf of the leadership of Ghana’s Parliament to open a two-day regional forum on gender-responsive lawmaking in Accra last Wednesday.
The event, held on the theme: “Advancing gender responsive lawmaking through parliamentary, civil society organisations (CSOs) and citizens collaboration”, was attended by parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from Ghana, Kenya and Togo.
It was hosted by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) in collaboration with parliamentary Centre and the Global Affairs of Canada under the Inclusive Legislatures for Gender-Responsive Policies (ILGRP) projects being implemented by ACEPA and its partners in the Parliaments of Ghana, Kenya and Togo.
Mrs Appiagyei stressed that parliaments were strongest when they engaged with the public, civil society, and development partners.
“Parliaments are strongest when bridges, not walls, exist between us and the public. Civil society offers data, expertise, and life perspectives. Citizens offer legitimacy and accountability. Development partners offer technical reinforcement. When these forces converge, laws become fairer, budgets become more equitable, and democratic trust deepens,” she emphasised.
Mrs Appiagyei highlighted three key commitments for forward-looking governance, namely structured dialogue between Parliament, CSOs, academia, and community networks; institutionalising gender-responsive lawmaking; and ensuring that legislative decisions impacted citizens' lives.
She urged participants to leave the forum with a renewed commitment to gender-responsive policies and transformative governance.
A Deputy Clerk to Parliament, Cammilo Pwamang, who delivered an address on behalf of the Speaker and the Clerk to Parliament, stressed the importance of partnerships between parliaments, CSOs, and citizens in promoting inclusive governance.
