Ghana’s Parliament has launched a new program called the Mini Parliament. This initiative creates a special place for children. Here, they can discuss and share ideas about national issues that affect them. Madam Helen Ntosu, who leads the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection, said this ends the time of making rules without listening to everyone. She stated that citizens, especially young people, want to be heard. Ghana is committed to being open and fair in its decisions. This shows Ghana is building trust with its people.
The Mini Parliament is a project by Ghana's Parliament. It works with the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, UNICEF, and the Learning Tree Foundation. Children will pretend to be Members of Parliament, or MPs. They will debate important topics in a structured and educational way. Paulina Sarvilahati from UNICEF highlighted that child participation is very important. Ghana was the first country to agree to the United Nations' promise to protect children's rights. She told the children they deserve to be heard, protected, and to achieve their dreams. She encouraged them to be brave when sharing their thoughts.
Superintendent Effia Tenge, Parliament’s Director of Public Engagement, shared important numbers. From 2023 to 2025, over 44,000 people visited Parliament. More than 70 percent of these visitors were students from primary and junior high schools. Many young visitors found it hard to understand how Parliament works. This led to the idea for a more engaging approach. The Mini Parliament offers a practical and interactive way for children to learn. They can step into the shoes of MPs and debate issues that concern young people. The goal is to create a future generation of Ghanaians who can contribute meaningfully to the country's progress.
At the first meeting of the Mini Parliament, the children debated how to use technology responsibly. They discussed online safety, digital duties, and how technology affects their well-being. Experts from the Cyber Security Authority also taught them about safe internet use. They learned about avoiding online bullying and keeping their personal information private. Officials praised the program. They said it helps build a sense of responsibility from an early age. Dr Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of ACEPA, believes early learning about government can help create good citizens. Parliament plans to continue the Mini Parliament. It is part of efforts to involve young people more. It also aims to prepare them to be future leaders through practical civic education.