The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Harriet Thompson, has paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as part of efforts to deepen diplomatic engagement between the United Kingdom and Ghana.

The visit, which took place in Parliament House, focused on strengthening bilateral ties, with particular attention to parliamentary collaboration, gender inclusion, and areas of shared development priorities under Ghana’s new administration.

Speaker Bagbin welcomed the High Commissioner warmly and noted that the meeting presents a valuable opportunity to foster stronger ties not only between the two nations but also between their respective legislative bodies.

He underscored Africa’s untapped potential to lead in global development, stating that the continent is well-equipped in both human and natural resources to drive transformative growth.

He further outlined Ghana’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of its Parliament through the creation of specialized units such as the Anti-Corruption Office, the Budget and Fiscal Analysis Office, and the External Support Office—all part of broader strategic reforms aimed at improving governance and transparency.

Despite these strides, the Speaker expressed concern over persistent institutional challenges, notably the high attrition rate among Members of Parliament and the underrepresentation of women in the legislature, which he noted hinder the progress of parliamentary democracy.

Joining the engagement, Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga raised the urgent need for improvements in urban sanitation systems. He highlighted waste management as a critical issue requiring structured reforms and expressed Ghana’s readiness to explore collaboration with the UK in addressing environmental challenges.

Adding to the dialogue, the Second Minority Whip and Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, acknowledged the sanitation concerns while drawing attention to the importance of economic cooperation. He emphasized that any development partnership must also focus on promoting debt sustainability to secure long-term national growth.

The courtesy visit concluded with both parties reaffirming their mutual interest in fostering lasting parliamentary and diplomatic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.