Accra, March 23, – The Parliament of Ghana, through its Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has hosted the inaugural meeting of the Network of Parliamentary Training Institutes (PTIs) in Accra.
The two-day conference, held in partnership with the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) of the Parliament of Kenya, is aimed at strengthening global parliamentary cooperation through training, peer learning, and institutional networking.
Strengthening Parliamentary Capacity
The event, themed “PTIs: Peer Learning and Networking,” has brought together parliamentary leaders, Members of Parliament, and senior officials from across the world to share best practices and build stronger legislative institutions.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, underscored the importance of continuous training in enhancing parliamentary effectiveness.
“The effectiveness of any parliament is closely tied to the quality of its members and the robustness of its support system,” he stated.
He stressed that training should be viewed not as a periodic activity, but as a strategic institutional priority essential for democratic governance.
Building Global Networks
Mr Ahiafor noted that the future of parliamentary strengthening lies in collaborative networks, where institutions jointly design solutions, share resources, and support one another.
He revealed that Ghana’s Parliamentary Training Institute organised 36 training programmes in the past year, benefiting 2,792 participants, including MPs and parliamentary staff.
Professor Nyokabi Kamau, Executive Director of Kenya’s CPST, described the conference as a major milestone in promoting knowledge exchange and strengthening parliamentary training systems across Africa and beyond.
Call for Innovation and Inclusion
Speaking on behalf of the Minority Leader, Mr Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo, highlighted the need for:
Continuous learning within parliaments
Greater integration of technology
Institutional ownership of training programmes
He identified investment, relevance, and ownership as key pillars for successful parliamentary training systems.
The Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga, described the initiative as a game-changer for parliamentary democracy, noting that capacity-building efforts should extend beyond parliament to include media, civil society, and citizens.
Promoting Collaboration
The conference has brought together 30 parliamentary training institutions worldwide, providing a platform to:
Share experiences and best practices
Address common challenges
Strengthen institutional capacity
The initiative is expected to deepen collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of legislative bodies globally.
GHBUSS
March 23, 2026
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