The National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) hosted an interactive session with the leadership of Parliament in its auditorium on 12 June 2026 to deepen participants’ understanding of Ghana’s democratic governance architecture and parliamentary processes.
The engagement formed part of the College’s academic and leadership development programme, providing participants with first-hand insights into the operations of the legislative arm of government and its contribution to national development and democratic accountability.
The session featured distinguished parliamentary leaders, including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North, Hon. James Agalga, representing the Majority Leader; the Minority Leader and MP for Effutu, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the MP for Weija-Gbawe, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib; and the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror.
Addressing participants, the parliamentary leaders highlighted Parliament’s constitutional mandate as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, including Articles 93(1), 95(1), and 124(3). They explained that Parliament’s core responsibilities include law-making, oversight of the Executive, and approval of the allocation of national resources across all sectors of the economy. They noted that Parliament remains a vital institution for national cohesion, accountability, and development, providing a platform for debating and addressing national issues in the public interest.
The panellists further explained that parliamentary oversight of the security sector is exercised through committees such as the Committee on Defence and Interior and, subsequently, the Select Committee on Security and Intelligence. These committees review legislative proposals, scrutinise budget estimates, and oversee the activities of relevant ministries and agencies.
The speakers also discussed some of the challenges confronting Parliament. These included the high cost of election campaigns and the constitutional requirement for a proportion of ministers and other government officials to be appointed from Parliament. Despite these challenges, they emphasised that Parliament continues to collaborate effectively with the Executive and the Judiciary to advance national development and strengthen democratic governance.
In his closing remarks, the Commandant of the National College of Defence Studies, Major General Frederick Dankyi Ntiri, expressed appreciation to the distinguished parliamentarians for sharing their wealth of knowledge and practical experience. He noted that the interaction had provided participants with valuable insights into the workings of Parliament and its critical role in Ghana’s democratic governance framework.
As a gesture of appreciation, the Commandant, on behalf of the College, presented a commemorative plaque to the parliamentary delegation in recognition of their contribution to the programme.
