Mini parliament initiative launched in Accra

Ghana's Parliament has initiated the "Mini Parliament" program, designed to provide young people with a platform to express their views and deepen their understanding of parliamentary functions. The initiative aims to foster greater youth engagement in national development.

The maiden session, held at Parliament House, featured a debate on the "Responsible use of technology by children." The program is a collaborative effort involving Parliament, the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), UNICEF, and the Learning Tree Foundation.

Mrs. Helen Ntosu, MP for Krachi West and chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection, emphasized the need for robust engagement mechanisms to help youth realize their potential. She noted that citizens, particularly the youth, now seek avenues to participate in decision-making, aligning with Ghana's commitment to transparency and public trust.

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You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be protected. You deserve to go to school and achieve your dreams.

Ms. Paulina Sarvilahati, Chief Social Policy and Inclusion Officer at UNICEF, underscored the importance of amplifying children's voices, reminding participants of Ghana's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She encouraged the young participants to be bold and confident in sharing their opinions.

Divisional Public Affairs Officer of Parliament, Ms. Kate Addo, commended the children's active participation, highlighting the initiative's success in demonstrating youth's capacity to contribute to national issues. Superintendent (rtd) Effia Tenge, Director of Public Engagement at Parliament, revealed that over 44,000 people have visited Parliament under its educational program since 2023, with over 70 percent being students, indicating a strong interest in parliamentary work. The Mini Parliament initiative offers a practical, interactive setting for children to simulate parliamentary roles and debate relevant issues.

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The vision is to ensure that the Ghanaian of tomorrow is capable of making meaningful contributions to national progress.