Last week, a delegation from Nobel International Business School (NiBS) led by Prof. Kwaku Atuahene-Gima paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

Prof. Atuahene-Gima indicated that the essence of the visit is to recognize Speaker Bagbin’s sterling, able, and creative leadership in building Ghana’s democracy.

Prof. Atuahene commended the Speaker of the ninth Parliament on his role in the hung Parliament, adding that the Speaker played a prominent role in navigating the difficult period Ghana experienced.

The NiBS founder said, “There was a time in Ghana if we didn’t have a very stable, creative, innovative hand, this nation wouldn’t have survived."

He stressed that parliaments such as the British Parliament could not succeed with their hung parliament, adding that Mr. Speaker had navigated the difficulties of the hung parliament in the past four years.

Prof. Atuahene-Gima explained that Speaker Bagbin has been instrumental in enhancing the capacities and development of members of Parliament as well as staff of Parliament, emphasizing that NiBS wishes to collaborate with Parliament to develop the capacities of members and staff.

Additionally, he said, “We are here to give you something that is hopefully everlasting, and that is a scholarship in your name.”

The scholarship would be awarded to members of Parliament who wished to pursue courses in Doctor of Public Sector Innovation and leadership as well as master of public sector innovation and leadership.

He added that that would be awarded in the name of Mr. Speaker, amounting to one hundred and eighty thousand US dollars.

For his part, Speaker Bagbin underscored that his leadership has brought in lots of positive initiatives to propel the development of members and staff.

The Speaker said, "What we did in the hung Parliament is what has propelled our development partners to come and do business with Parliament involving a one hundred and sixty million dollar project to build the capacities of members and staff."

He argued that not all hung parliaments have survived and touted Ghana’s hung parliament as the best.

The Speaker recalled how a Minority party led Parliament with a Speaker and admonished that he tried to hold the balance at all times.

More importantly, he commended the delegation for the initiative and stressed that the scholarships awarded will not be abused.

Speaker Bagbin has therefore urged Members and staff to pursue this noble offer and value to themselves.

Source: Parliament of Ghana