Members of Parliament will soon be allowed to express themselves in local languages during parliamentary debates, as part of renewed efforts to promote inclusivity and preserve Ghana’s rich cultural identity.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced the move during the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan in Accra.
According to Mr. Bagbin, introducing Ghanaian languages in parliamentary proceedings will strengthen national discourse, deepen citizen engagement, and foster a stronger connection between Parliament and the people.
Mr. Bagbin stressed that the initiative is a crucial step towards safeguarding indigenous Ghanaian languages, many of which risk extinction if not actively promoted in national platforms.
The introduction of local languages in Parliament, he explained, is backed by existing provisions in the Standing Orders, specifically Order 63, which allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to use their mother tongue—provided they can translate it into English for the benefit of all present.
To facilitate smooth implementation, Mr. Bagbin revealed that language experts will soon be recruited to serve as interpreters during parliamentary proceedings.
“So, we are going to start very soon,” he assured. ““Very soon, we will employ experts in these languages to come and support us as translators.”
The initiative forms part of Parliament’s broader agenda to make legislative processes more accessible, relatable, and reflective of Ghana’s cultural diversity.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
