Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that Members of Parliament (MPs) will soon be allowed to use Ghanaian local languages during parliamentary debates.
The move is intended to celebrate Ghana’s cultural heritage and enhance inclusivity and accessibility within the country’s legislative process.
Speaking at the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan, Mr. Bagbin emphasized the crucial role of language in national development and democratic engagement.
“No society thrives using another’s language. We want our own languages to be heard on the floor of Parliament, and that will begin very soon,” he said.
He pointed out that Parliament’s Standing Orders already permit MPs to speak in their mother tongues, provided they can offer a clear English translation.
“It’s already part of our rules—MPs can speak in their native languages as long as they translate into English,” he explained.
To support the implementation of this initiative, the Speaker also announced plans to hire language experts and interpreters who will provide real-time translations during proceedings.
“Very soon, we’ll bring in specialists in these languages to assist with live interpretation,” he confirmed.
