The Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana and the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association member countries to take a deep introspection into the cause of the incessant cause of reversal of the democratic process on the continent of Africa, especially in the West Africa region.
He made the remark at the official Opening ceremony of the ongoing 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being hosted in Ghana on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, held under the theme: “The Commonwealth Charter 10 Years On: Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold.”
According to him, it is only when the reasons are well understood and the right signals are picked, then adequate measures can be put in place to steer democracies on the continent away from such incidents that have gained notoriety in the subregion for reversing and backsliding on its democratic journey.
“Parliaments in this sub-region and in Africa, in general, must try to understand the reasons for the loss of trust and confidence in the leadership of democratic processes and institutions that has characterized the recent spate of military incursions into governance.”
The Rt. Hon Speaker noted that there seems to be a deep-seated dissatisfaction with political leadership in the subregion that is fueled by mistrust which must be nipped in the bud before it gets any worse.
“High-level corruption, nepotism, neglect of the hopes and aspirations of the electorates in pursuit of personal and parochial interests, and policies that only deepen poverty and deprivation levels, whilst supporting ostentation among the political elite would only generate mistrust among the electorates.
“That explains why in some of our countries, election into public offices has become highly transactional between candidates and voters, with instant personal gratification as the currency. This only serves to accentuate the cycle of mistrust that is fueling the dissatisfaction with political leadership and institutions in the sub-region,” he observed.
The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo who doubles as the Vice Patron of the CPA, in his keynote address, indicated that Members of the Commonwealth Parliament have the Honorous responsibility to promote the interest of the citizenry because the principles of the CPA are fundamental to the building of just, inclusive and prosperous societies for all.
“We therefore have the honorous responsibility as members of the Commonwealth to translate these principles into tangible and measurable outcomes to guarantee its security. The Legislature in particular, as a fulcrum of democracy, has the responsibility to represent and promote the interests of society,” he said.
President Akufo Addo also called for an introspection when he observed that, “this forum presents us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the progress made in upholding the values and principles conjectured in the Commonwealth Charter since its adoption a decade ago.”
He again pointed out that the recent challenges confronting democracy on the continent do not only put to test the principles of the Commonwealth Charter 10 years on but also “calls into question the effective application of these principles in responding to the needs and the aspirations of the citizenry.”
Over 500 delegates are in Accra the capital city of Ghana, including speakers and presiding officers, parliamentarians, clerks-to-parliaments, parliamentary staff, and key stakeholders in the parliamentary governance sector, for the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference which begun on September, 30, with arrival of delegates and expected to end on October 5, 2023.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
