By Prince Ahenkorah
In a move to reset the tone between Ghana’s legislature and the press, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin convened a high-level forum with top editors and media executives, calling for a renewed alliance to safeguard democratic accountability.
The engagement, held at Job 600 on November 4, brought together heavyweights from Ghana’s media ecosystem including National Media Commission Chairperson, PRINPAG President, GJA leadership, and veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt in what insiders described as a frank and strategic dialogue.
Bagbin, who delivered the keynote, didn’t mince words. He acknowledged the growing skepticism surrounding Parliament’s outreach to the media, but pushed back against claims of manipulation.
“There’s a perception that Parliament wants to corrupt the media. I have no intention of corrupting the media and no one can corrupt the media,” he declared.
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament and the press are not adversaries but co-guardians of Ghana’s fragile democracy. He urged journalists to continue holding power to account, including Parliament itself, while pledging transparency and openness from his office.
Bagbin also used the platform to reflect on his tenure, noting his historic second term as Speaker and the delicate balancing act of managing the 8th Parliament arguably the most politically divided in Ghana’s recent history. “The Minority has not been sidelined.
They’ve been part of the process, and that’s how democracy should work,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the Parliamentary Service Board’s composition, Bagbin clarified that its structure has always mirrored the ruling party’s dominance a tradition he said predates his speakership.
The forum ended with a joint commitment to deepen collaboration between Parliament and the media, with both sides agreeing that mutual respect and transparency are essential to restoring public trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions.