Parliament launches 'Mini Parliament' to give children a voice in national decision-making

Parliament of Ghana launched the maiden edition of its Mini Parliament initiative at Parliament House. Madam Helen Ntosu, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi West, said "Citizens, especially the youth, now seek platforms to be heard in decision-making processes." The Mini Parliament is a dedicated platform for children to debate, deliberate, and contribute to national issues that affect them.

The initiative is a partnership between the Parliament of Ghana, the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), UNICEF, and the Learning Tree Foundation. The Mini Parliament allows children to assume the roles of MPs and debate real issues in a structured educational setting. Paulina Sarvilahati, the Chief Social Policy and Inclusion Officer at UNICEF, recalled that Ghana was the first country in the world to ratify the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child. Superintendent (Retd.) Effia Tenge, Parliament's Director of Public Engagement, said the department had hosted over 44,000 visitors from 2023 to 2025, with more than 70 per cent being primary and junior high school pupils. At the inaugural sitting, participants debated the topic, "Responsible Use of Technology by Children," focusing on online safety, digital responsibility, and the impact of technology on well-being.

The Parliament says the Mini Parliament will continue as part of efforts to strengthen youth engagement and prepare future leaders through practical civic education.