The Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye on Thursday 28th May 2020 officially launched the 2020-2024 Corporate Strategic Plan of the Parliament of Ghana at the Speaker’s Lounge, Parliament House. The strategic document on the theme “Corporate Strategic Planning as a tool for unlocking the capacity of legislatures” was developed with support by STAR Ghana Foundation. The brief ceremony coincided with a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker by the STAR Ghana Foundation.

The Foundation, led by Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Member of the Governing Council of STAR Ghana Foundation, was in the House to announce the completion of the partnership between STAR Ghana and Parliament under the Phase II of the STAR-Ghana Programme. The partnership which ended in April 2020 had a greater focus on achieving strategic and systemic level impacts through support to targeted units of the House.

Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, delivering the keynote address eulogised STAR-Ghana Foundation for its immense contribution to the House and support to Parliament over the years. He appealed to the Foundation to continue to support and build the capacity of the Legislature. He indicated some of the gains of the partnership and expressed his appreciation to the Funders of the Foundation. He said:
"Indeed the partnership, has largely facilitated the capacity building of our institutional human resource, enhanced our engagement with civil society, and last but not the least: our responsiveness. Parliament is grateful to STAR Ghana and their financiers: DFID (UKAid), EU, and DANNIDA for their support”
Professor Audrey Gadzekpo on behalf of the Chair of STAR Ghana Foundation recounted a decade of partnership that has existed between the Foundation and the Parliament of Ghana. She expressed her hope for future partnership by indicating that::
“the STAR-Ghana Programme has effectively partnered Ghana’s Parliament since 2010 under both Phases of the programme and would continue to support the creation, utilisation, and institutionalisation of spaces for collective civil society engagement”
Recognition of Support
The Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, on behalf of the Parliament of Ghana - flanked by the leadership of Parliament, presented a citation of honour to STAR Ghana Foundation in recognition and appreciation of the Foundation’s invaluable contribution to supporting committees of Parliament to undertake their core function of oversight and scrutiny over the Executive.

The citation read:
“STAR Ghana Foundation has distinguished itself as a worthy and reliable partner of the Parliament of Ghana in the pursuit of our joint aspiration of delivering transparent and accountable governance to the people of Ghana… The Foundation has also partnered Parliament in strengthening its institutional structures and procedural systems as well as building the capacity of Members and Staff of Parliament.”

In attendance were high-profile personalities of the House including the two Deputy Speakers, Majority and Minority Leaders, the House Whips, and the Clerk. Also in attendance were the Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation: Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu; the Acting Head of Policy and Programme: Teiko Sabah; and the Parliamentary Support Manager of the STAR Ghana Programme – Marian Kyei.
