Speaker Bagbin launches Scholarship to elevate Parliamentary expertise in Governance and Leadership

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has unveiled a scholarship initiative aimed at enhancing the academic and professional capacities of Members of Parliament and staff of the Parliamentary Service.

The programme, in collaboration with the Noble International Business School (NiBS), offers over $200,000 in subsidised tuition for advanced studies in governance, leadership, and public sector innovation.

The Speaker’s Scholarship provides access to NiBS’s flagship postgraduate programmes, including the Doctor of Public Sector Innovation and Leadership. The initiative is designed to equip lawmakers and parliamentary personnel with advanced skills in policy analysis, evidence-based decision-making, institutional reform, and fiscal oversight. Beneficiaries are expected to produce high-quality research, develop informed policy briefs, and strengthen parliamentary scrutiny.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Bagbin described the scholarship as a continuation of his vision to cultivate intellectual depth within Parliament. “This marks another important milestone in strengthening Parliament as the cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy, fostering a culture of learning, leadership, and excellence,” he said.

He emphasised that the programme is intended not only to enhance legislative debates but to enable MPs and staff to diagnose complex national issues, interrogate policies critically, and make decisions grounded in evidence. Highlighting the impact of previous academic initiatives, the Speaker noted that participants had demonstrated improved legislative performance and contributed meaningfully to national discourse.

Mr. Bagbin also commended the partnering university for supporting the vision of a knowledge-driven Parliament. He reflected on his own leadership approach, explaining that rigorous research, factual evidence, and methodical analysis have guided his parliamentary career. “Legislative strength is not measured by volume or aggression in debate, but by informed argumentation and intellectual discipline,” he said.

The Speaker further stated that the scholarship aims to leave a lasting legacy of knowledge within the House, positioning Ghana’s Parliament as a model of democratic governance both within Africa and on the global stage. He emphasised that a well-equipped legislature is essential for effective government oversight, confident reform leadership, and the strategic shaping of national development.