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Political Development made Africans less optimistic – Speaker

By Ebenezer SABUTEY

The speaker of parliament Joyce Banford Addo has stated that political development in a few of the countries in Africa have provided grounds for us to be less optimistic. She made this statement at the first conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) society of clerks –at-the-table, Africa Region last week in Accra.

She however stated that a few decades ago, many were those who doubted Africa’s democratic credence. The continent had to contend with dictatorial governments who flouted the laws and abused the rights and freedoms of their people.

“Governance institutions or structures that could sustain stable and vibrant democracies were non-existence or even if they existed, were few and weak. Indeed in most countries including Ghana, the words “Parliament and Democracy” appeared and disappear in the same manner as our democratic civilian governments have come and gone.”

Madam speaker believed that this development has really worked to the disadvantage of cultivating the democratic culture, its growth and the operation of this institutions and structures on our continent.

Thankfully this bleak picture has considerably changed in this millennium. Majority of the governments currently in power are elected through the process of multi party democracy, the rules of law predominates, the structures for effective civil-military relations have been developed, the growth of democratic institutions are on the ascendancy and there are regular and direct engagement and collaboration of political leaders, parliamentarians and parliamentary staff.

Within the organizational frameworks of the African Union and other regional bodies including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), one can mention the establishment of representative institutions which are gradually transitioning into continental and regional actors with the powers of policy making that can positively affect the economic lives of the people.

Emmanuel Anyimadu Clerk to the parliament of Ghana has also added that Ghana is a trailblazer in African emancipation and renowned for its sustained efforts at ensuring parliamentary democracy in Africa.

He made it clear that an effective parliament in any democracy is a major condition precedent to good governance. He added that this stems from the fact that the institution of parliament provides avenue for representation, bring grievances and need of the people to the fore, finds best means of addressing them and also holds government accountable.

He said Clerks owe it a duty to contribute to the development of this important governance institution because by the vocation, clerks have what it takes to assist the institution in its role of ensuring good governance. He mentioned that the people of Africa live in the troubled times of conflict and instability which cast a gloomy picture on governance.

The time has come for all Parliaments in Africa to be fully awakened to their obligation of renewing their commitment to strengthening parliamentary democracy in order to guarantee the sustenance of good governance. In so doing, parliament will require the support of clerks.

It is for this reason that the theme for the conference “the role of the clerks at the table in strengthening parliamentary Democracy in the 21st Century” is very appropriate. Anyimadu stated that as clerks our acts of commission and omission impact directly and greatly on strengthening parliamentary democracy. We must together and at all times give fresh thinking to how best we can render effective support service to our respective parliaments.

One other key element that we should observe as a guide is “political impartiality” There is no way we can achieve our vision of developing strong bureaucracies for our parliaments if “political impartiality” of the clerk is compromise.

He concluded that experiences are hallmarks that come with practice but are remarkably enhanced through benchmarking and also urged his colleagues to use the platform provided by this conference to sharpen their competencies and deepen their experiences by comparing notes on challenges that confront the profession in the various jurisdiction and how to address them and not disappoint their parliaments. After all, the core of every vibrant parliamentary democracy is a well resourced and ethically upright bureaucracy.

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