Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Honourable Alban Sumana Bagbin held a meeting with the State Secretary to the Minister of International Development of Norway, Ms. Stine Renate Håheim, in the margins of the world's largest anti-corruption gathering -the 11th Session of the Conference of States Parties (CoSP 11) to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)- held in Doha, Qatar from 15th to 19th December 2025. The meeting was occasioned by the collaboration between Ghana and Norway, together with Albania and Mongolia, that had led to the tabling to the CoSP 11, of a landmark draft resolution on Enhancing transparency in funding of political parties. The Rt. Honourable Speaker expressed appreciation to the State Secretary of Norway for her country’s leadership role in advancing the timely and important draft resolution which Ghana was pleased to co-sponsor as an initiative that addresses a core pillar of democratic governance, the integrity and transparency of political financing. This was the first-ever UNCAC resolution specifically addressing political finance transparency. According to him, the meeting presented significant strategic advantages to open opportunities for technical assistance and capacity-building support from Norway, a significant development partner. It also demonstrated commitment to the anti-corruption agenda by the government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, on an international platform. Speaker Bagbin elaborated on the growing influence of opaque and unregulated financing in electoral processes as a matter of concern to many Member States, including Ghana. He continued that where unchecked, such practices risked undermining the democratic will of the people, entrenching corruption, and eroding public trust in institutions. Furthermore the resolution rightly recognised that political finance transparency is not only a matter of national integrity but of global importance, one that cuts across borders and required international cooperation. The speaker continued that Ghana was particularly encouraged by the resolution’s strong emphasis on capacity-building and technical assistance as many developing countries, including Ghana, are committed to reform, but are often constrained by institutional and resource capabilities. He commended the resolution’s recognition of gender equity, protection for whistleblowers, the role of civil society and the media, all of which are essential for a vibrant and accountable democratic system. The comprehensive framework of the resolution was also highlighted by the Rt. Honourable Speaker in addressing the establishment of oversight bodies to monitor political finance, robust accounting and reporting requirements, transparent allocation of public funding, the prohibition of misuse of publicly controlled resources, the application of proportional sanctions, strengthened domestic and international cooperation. The Speaker concluded by calling for more emphasis on organized crime and infiltration of political processes, reflecting vulnerabilities identified in many national contexts. He assured of enhanced collaboration to give effect to the principles underpinning the resolution, grounded in Article 7(3) of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which states that “each State Party shall also consider taking appropriate legislative and administrative measures, consistent with the objectives of this Convention and in accordance with the fundamental principles of its domestic law, to enhance transparency in the funding of candidatures for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties”. On her part, the State Secretary of Norway thanked Ghana for agreeing to co-sponsor the resolution, for the formidable support in advancing it and the work done so far by all parties. According to Ms. Renate Håheim, the collaboration will strengthen international partnerships on anti-corruption, democratic governance and enhance coordination to ensure successful adoption of the joint resolution, whose negotiations had led to the title: “Preventing and combating corruption through enhancing transparency in funding of political parties, candidatures for elected public office and electoral campaigns”. The Norwegian State Secretary expressed satisfaction that the four (4) countries that had tabled the resolution (Ghana, Norway, Albania and Mongolia) represented different regions of the United Nations which was a testament to its broad support. The meeting concluded with the shared conviction that the successful adoption of the resolution would open doors for greater commitment by all to give effect to its contents.