The recently observed International Day of Parliamentarism on Monday, June 30, 2025 served as a poignant reminder of the vital role parliaments play in fostering democracy, ensuring accountability and giving voice to the people.

This global observance, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 and led by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), commemorates the IPU’s founding in 1889.

It’s a day for reflection, celebration and a renewed commitment to strengthening parliamentary institutions worldwide, especially in nations like Ghana, Togo and Kenya, where democratic journeys are continuously evolving.

In Ghana, the International Day of Parliamentarism this year held particular significance. The Parliament of Ghana marked the day with a triple milestone, underscoring its dedication to enhancing its democratic functions.

The events took place at the Parliament of Ghana in Accra. As reported by Parliamentafrica.com, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin emphasised the importance of reflection, inclusivity and purposeful action in Ghana’s democratic journey. He highlighted the country’s 32 years of parliamentary democracy, acknowledging remarkable strides made.

A key focus for Ghana this year was ‘Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action’. Speaker Bagbin cited a 2025 IPU report revealing Ghana’s marginal 6.6 percent improvement in women’s parliamentary representation over three decades, ranking the country 137th out of 168. This stark reality underscored the urgent need for effective implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) and increased support for the Women’s Caucus in Parliament.

Crucially, Ghana also launched its Open Parliament Action Plan and inaugurated the Open Parliament Steering Committee. This initiative, anchored on transparency, accountability, citizen participation and the use of technology, aims to address challenges such as limited public access to legislative processes and low levels of youth and gender inclusion.

As Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Clerk to Parliament, commended, this is a milestone in building a citizen-focused, accountable parliament. The National Investment Bank PLC (NIB) also sponsored a Commonwealth Essay Competition for student parliaments, aligning with its commitment to youth development and civic engagement. Additionally, the University for Development Studies (UDS) Student Parliament clinched the top spot in the 2025 Commonwealth Day Essay Contest, with the results officially announced during the ceremony at the Parliament of Ghana.

The spirit of parliamentary strengthening resonates across the African continent, with countries like Togo and Kenya actively engaging in initiatives to bolster their legislative bodies.

While specific recent events for International Parliament Day in Togo were not widely detailed, the nation, as an IPU member, has engaged in efforts to promote parliamentary openness and strengthen its democratic institutions. The IPU’s general call for parliaments to review their progress in areas like gender equality and adopting new technologies likely serves as a guiding principle for Togo’s parliamentary development.

The IPU emphasises that parliaments globally are encouraged to “reduce their carbon footprint and become greener” and to “step up action through legislation, budgets and, in particular, scrutiny of government measures to implement the Paris Agreement on climate”, as stated on the IPU website, indicating areas where all member parliaments, including Togo’s, are encouraged to focus.

In Kenya, parliamentary engagement often focuses on diplomacy and strengthening inter-parliamentary ties. As reported by the Kenyan Parliament website, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, recently hosted the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Kenya, Moravia Peralta Hernandez, to strengthen diplomatic and parliamentary relations. Speaker Wetang’ula emphasised: “Kenya’s Parliament is open to building meaningful ties through parliamentary diplomacy”, highlighting the importance of collaboration and global cooperation.

Furthermore, Kenya’s active participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s assemblies, such as the 145th Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, demonstrates its commitment to international parliamentary dialogue.

During this assembly, as outlined in a report by the Parliament of Kenya, discussions centred on “Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world”. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, emphasised that parliaments exist to protect citizens’ interests and that this objective cannot be met without achieving gender equality. Kenyan parliamentarians, including Agnes Zani, have previously spoken on how parliaments can build trust in people, as highlighted in IPU videos.

International Parliament Day serves as a crucial annual reminder that parliaments are not mere buildings, but living institutions that embody the will of the people. Their strength lies in their ability to be transparent, accountable, representative and responsive.

For Ghana, Togo and Kenya, and indeed for all democratic nations, this day underscores the continuous journey toward perfecting democratic governance, ensuring that the voices of all citizens are heard and that legislative actions truly serve the greater good. It is a day to reaffirm the commitment to inclusive governance and to inspire future generations to engage with and strengthen the very foundations of their democracies.

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