Parliament will seek your wise counsel to enhance Ghana’s democracy – Bagbin tells Nayiri.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has paid a courtesy call on the King of Mamprugu, Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, at the Nayiri Palace. He said it is the aim of Parliament to draw Traditional Rulers attention to how far the country’s democracy has gone and that the wise counseling of the chiefs is very important.
Rt.Hon. Bagbin said there is a need for something substantial to improve upon the current governance system and make Ghana a better place to live. “We want every Ghanaian to be included so that, at the end of the day, nobody is left out or feels cheated, and no area of the country will feel that they are not getting their fair share of the national cake.” He stresses.
Parliament, the Speaker said, wants to make sure governance is not left in the hands of only politicians but that a prime place is given to the Traditional Rulers, who are experienced with intellect and wisdom.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker was at the Nayiri Palace as part of his Northern Zone Visit in commemoration of 30 years of uninterrupted democracy under the Fourth Republic. The Speaker, who was accompanied by Tamale South, Tamale Central, Tamale North, Bolgatanga East, and Builsa North MPs, and the MP for Nalerigu, were all welcomed by the North East Regional Minister.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin told the Nayiri and his elders that, through their blessings, he is now the president of the Commonwealth Speakers, which is made up of 122 countries, and also the Speaker and Heads of Parliament in Africa. He explained that he couldn’t pay a similar courtesy call to the regent of Bimbilla because of the state protocol given to him. He said it was not proper for him, as the number three man in the country, to go there at this stage. If we made errors, you are our father. Please kindly forgive us. This is the reason, and it is the national protocol, and I hope you could on our behalf say that this is the reason and not out of spite or because we do not recognize them. We respect them. I have to obey the national protocol, as the Speaker explained further.
He thanked all the 275 Members of Parliament for making it possible that, for the first time in the parliamentary history of Ghana, somebody from this part of the country has become the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament. It has come at the very right time for Ghana, Africa, and the world. He announced that, between October and November, all Parliaments would convene in Ghana for a conference.
The veteran lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Bagbin, was chosen as speaker despite having retired from his opposition as a Member of Parliament. He is the first opposition lawmaker to hold the office of Speaker of Parliament under an executive president from a different political party. Since Ghana’s decision to return to constitutional rule in 1992, Rt. Hon. Bagbin is arguably the Speaker who has been the most visible and vocal.
Source: Mohammed Ibrahim, ZaaNews.com