Second Deputy Speaker commends YIP for their initiative

Members of Youth Impact Parliament in a group photograph with the Members Of Parliament

The Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, has commended the Youth Impact Parliament (YIP), a dynamic bicameral-modelled Parliament, for their initiative and encouraged them to aspire to become future members of Ghana’s national Parliament.

Hon. Andrew Asiamah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Fomena in the Ashanti Region, delivered this commendation during YIP's educational visit to the Parliament. The group's visit, which was the First Bicameral Youth Legislature, aimed to enhance young people's understanding of governance and legislative processes, providing a unique opportunity for them to engage with Ghana's parliamentary system.

The event took place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and saw the attendance of the presiding officers and members of both the First Senate (Upper Chamber) and the Fourth Parliament (Lower Chamber) of YIP Ghana.

During the first session organized by the Department of Public Engagement, members of YIP received insightful presentations from former Minister for Information, Works, and Housing, Hon. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah. He delivered an engaging talk on the legislative process, the role of parliamentary committees, and Parliament's crucial role in law-making, oversight, and national development. Hon. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, who is currently the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi in the Eastern Region, also emphasized the importance of the public purse, stressing that Parliament has the authority to approve the national budget and economic policies.

Hon. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, MP for Tema East, also shared insights into the budget approval process, explaining how Parliament ensures transparency and accountability in financial decisions. He urged the youth to take an active interest in governance to contribute to shaping the country’s future.

After the sessions, members of YIP had the opportunity to engage with the facilitators during a question-and-answer session. They subsequently presented copies of the inaugural brochures of the First Senate and Fourth Parliament to the speakers, along with a citation in honor of Rt. Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.

In the second session of their visit, YIP members were granted access to the Speaker's Gallery of the main parliamentary chamber to observe live proceedings. During the day’s sitting, which was the 36th Sitting of the 1st Meeting of the 1st Session of the 9th Parliament of the 4th Republic, Hon. Andrew Asiamah Amoako presided on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. YIP members witnessed parliamentary proceedings, which included the adoption of the votes and proceedings from the previous sitting, posing parliamentary questions to Ministers, and debating the adoption of the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, tabled by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson.

While presiding over the debate, the Second Deputy Speaker warmly acknowledged the presence of the Youth Impact Parliament delegation, recognizing them as the First Bicameral Youth Legislature. He also formally introduced the Presiding Officers: Jones Amegashie-Viglo, President of the YIP Senate (Upper House), and Adam Usman, Speaker of the YIP Parliament (Lower House).

The leadership of YIP Ghana took this opportunity to honor the contributions of Hon. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe as the Patron of the Youth Impact Movement through a Citation of Honor. This was followed by a photo session with several Members of Parliament.

YIP extends its sincere appreciation to its Patrons, Members, Supporters, and Promoters for their invaluable contributions to the success of this visit. In the spirit of youth capacity building, YIP calls for continued support in shaping a brighter future for all.

The Youth Impact Movement (YIM) is a youth-centric organization founded in Ho, Ghana, on April 22, 2021, by Jones Amegashie-Viglo, a political activist dedicated to parliamentary democracy and African unity, alongside co-founders Raymond Elikem Agbo and Amanor D. Narh. The movement emerged in response to governance challenges and the lack of unity within African nations. Youth Impact Parliament (YIP) is the parliamentary branch of YIM, with chapters in Ghana, Uganda, India, Namibia, and Kenya.

YIP's goal is to foster values of patriotism, honesty, transparency, diligence, selflessness, and commitment among youth, aiming to nurture a new generation of leaders who prioritize national interests over personal gain. Through a collaborative approach to participatory democracy, YIP strives to tackle the obstacles to good governance and African unity, equipping young leaders with parliamentary knowledge and skills.