The scheme is expected to enhance legislative work by supporting beneficiaries to conduct rigorous research, produce high-quality policy briefs, understand the fiscal implications of bills, and strengthen parliamentary oversight.

Intellectual depth, professional excellence

At the launch of the initiative in Parliament House yesterday, the Speaker said the scholarship marked a major milestone in Parliament’s efforts to cultivate intellectual depth and professional excellence among lawmakers and staff.

He said the initiative was driven by a firm conviction that modern governance demanded more than political rhetoric.

“This launch marks yet another significant milestone in our ongoing journey to strengthen Parliament as the cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy and foster a culture of excellence, learning and leadership,” he said.

Mr Bagbin mentioned that the scholarship programme was not the beginning of the journey, but a continuation of a vision he had pursued for years to produce legislators who were equipped not only to debate but to diagnose issues, interrogate policies and make evidence-based decisions.

He said many MPs who had participated in previous academic programmes had become more resourceful, demonstrating improved legislative performance and contributing more meaningfully to national discourse.

The Speaker expressed gratitude to the partnering university for embracing the vision of building a knowledge-driven Parliament, while praising it for its commitment to excellence in leadership and governance training.

Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, the Speaker revealed how his reliance on research and evidence guided him throughout his career.

He explained that even during heated debates, he never resorted to raising his voice, but instead relied on facts, reports and documentation to make his case.

Mr Bagbin dismissed the notion that parliamentary strength was demonstrated through aggression, arguing instead that intellectual discipline and informed argumentation were the true markers of legislative authority.

He stressed that the scholarship programme was also intended to build a legacy of knowledge within the House, enabling Parliament to emerge as a model institution of democratic governance not only in Africa but globally.

With Parliament serving as the cornerstone of the country’s democracy, Mr Bagbin said its members must be equipped with tools that would allow them to scrutinise government effectively, lead reforms confidently and shape national development with clarity and purpose. 

Research-driven training

The President and Founder of NiBS University, Prof. Kwaku Atuahene-Gima, described the launch as a significant moment in the history of both institutions.

He said Parliament held the future of the nation in its hands, and that should the Legislature falter, the country would falter.

He stressed that decisions in Parliament were often made under conditions of great uncertainty, and when leaders did not possess strong analytical and research skills, the wrong decisions could easily be made.

Prof. Atuahene-Gima warned that as citizens became more united, assertive and demanding of transparency, lawmakers must demonstrate greater accountability backed by evidence.

He further emphasised that research-driven training would strengthen the MPs’ ability to represent their constituents effectively because it would enhance their capacity to support public arguments with data and logic

That, he said, would not only build credibility but also improve transparency and citizens’ trust in Parliament.

Prof. Atuahene-Gima called on MPs and parliamentary staff to take full advantage of the Speaker’s initiative, revealing that some participants were already enrolled and demonstrating remarkable improvements in their work.