The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged effective collaboration between parliamentarians and media practitioners to ensure the judicious use of public funds for the benefit of citizens. 

He observed that while Parliament holds the “power of the purse,” the press plays a critical role in informing and empowering the public, including duty bearers. “Together, both help citizens understand how national resources are allocated and utilised,” Mr. Bagbin stated. 

The Speaker made the call at the maiden Public Financial Management Dialogue Series in Accra, organised on the theme “Parliament, the Press, and the Purse: Building Accountability through Dialogue.” 

Mr. Bagbin emphasised that public accountability becomes truly effective only when Parliament and the press interact openly, share insights, challenge one another constructively, and ultimately strengthen each other’s work. 

He expressed optimism that the dialogue would foster deeper understanding between Parliament and the media, amplify citizens’ voices on economic and financial governance, and promote meaningful public participation in the national budget process. 

The event brought together Parliamentarians, particularly members of the Finance and Economic Committees of Parliament, alongside editors and senior journalists, to strengthen their capacity in ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.   

Both the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House, who were represented, pledged their support and collaboration to the dialogue, underscoring their commitment to accountability and transparency in public financial management.