Ghana

Four people holding and looking through a cut out placard

Ghana

Browse Sections Key results
Introduction
For a decade, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) supported the Parliament of Ghana as it worked to become a stronger, more inclusive and accountable institution. WFD Ghana nurtured the next generation of political leaders – both young men and young women – to better equip them to break from participating in decision-making.

In October 2020, WFD marked the conclusion of its most recent programme in Ghana. Like everywhere, the task of strengthening democracy in the country is ongoing. WFD’s Ghanaian partners – including the Speaker, Members, Secretary General and staff of the Parliament of Ghana and civil society organisations – continue this important work.

In addition to the programme’s achievements detailed below, the rich legacy of WFD’s work in Ghana includes a wealth of local knowledge and relationships which WFD retains within our regional African programmes and those in the rest of the world.

Promoting young women and men’s inclusion in the political process

WFD nurtured the new generation of Ghanaian leaders through its Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy programme, training more than 3,000 students in democratic principles and skills. The programme supported and established Youth Parliaments all over the country and worked with young Ghanaians to help them become more skilled in democratic debate and deliberation. Under the programme, the proportion of .

Our work with young women and men raised aspirations and helped create an environment that will enable them to succeed as leaders. Some of the young people WFD worked with have since used their new skills as community leaders at the forefront of the COVID-19 response.

Helping to make the Parliament of Ghana a more efficient and effective institution

Timely access to accurate information is essential for MPs to be able to carry out their responsibilities well. In Ghana, WFD helped establish the Inter-Departmental Research and Information group (IDRIG) in the Parliament, which improved the coordination of research and information within the legislature.

Enhancing the Parliament of Ghana’s engagement with its citizens

WFD Ghana helped forge stronger links between the Parliament of Ghana and its people. Following WFD activities such as technical support for developing action plans, roundtable meetings and capacity-building sessions, the Parliament has included representatives of civil society organisations on its OGP steering committee. Moreover, the Parliament has committed to more regular engagement with civil society representatives as it moves forward with its Open Government Partnership actions, as well as developing a youth engagement strategy.

Our programmes

Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy Programme, CP4D (2018-2020)

Strengthening the capacity of student parliamentarians as a catalyst for youth engagement in politics

Status
Completed
10

Inclusive and Accountable Politics, IAP (2018-2020)

Strengthening the representational role, and by extension the legislative role, of the Parliament of Ghana

Status
Completed
10

Ghana Integrated Programme, GIP (2015-2018)

Improving accountability and transparency in the Parliament of Ghana through better research and policy

Status
Completed
10

Key results

Trained over 3000 university students in 22 Ghanaian universities on the principles of democracy, parliamentary practice and Commonwealth of Nations system

Supported the establishment of the Inter-Departmental Research and Information group (IDRIG) in the Parliament of Ghana, which now operates independently to help MPs to make informed decisions

Re-activated or established 20 student parliaments nationwide, raising women’s participation in the political debate to almost 50%, as well as increasing women’s leadership at the university level

Provided assistance to the drafting of an open government action plan for the Parliament of Ghana, which was presented for approval in late 2020

Hosted a flagship CP4D conference gathering political party and community leaders from 15 Commonwealth countries to discuss ways to tackle the under-representation of women in leadership positions

Produced unique research into the costs incurred by electoral candidates in Ghana, informing political parties and civil society about practical steps to ensure wider and fair access to politics

Women participants at the summit in a group shot
News
Activists call for more women in leadership positions at Commonwealth summit
On 6-7 August, political party and community leaders from Ghana and 14 Commonwealth countries met in Ghana to discuss ways to tackle the under-representation of women in leadership positions.
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News
Representing reality? The cost of politics and the impact on diversity in Ghana
Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s new research report, launched in Accra early March, in partnership with the Centre for Democratic Development (Ghana), explores the impact the 59% increase in average spend by candidates from 2012 to 2016 from candidates to secure their political parties’ nomination at the primaries stage and contest the parliamentary election has on women and young people.
Read more

Contact us

Ghana

info@wfd.org