Ghana Is At The Threshold Of Socio Economic Transformation…Says Prof. Nabila

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

 

THE PRESIDENT of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Prof. J. S. Nabila has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to effectively use the legislature to come out with ideas that would transform the country’s political landscape and socio economic development.
“Ghana is at the threshold of socio economic transformation. Many ideas emerged during the electioneering campaign to rebuild Ghana’s economic, social and cultural systems a hundred fold. I entreat Members of Parliament to apply your mind to the coalition of good ideas for the sake of mother Ghana,” noted Naa Prof. Nabila.
The President of the National House of Chiefs made this observation in Accra on Saturday, when addressing Members of the 6th Parliament as they undergo a five day induction and orientation seminar to build on their capacities of Parliamentary practice.
The theme for the programme was; ‘Harmony in diversity and Partnership in Parliament after elections.’
Among the topics to be treated include; Democratic Governance – Constitutionalism and the Role of Parliament; Good Governance – Key Elements; Responsibilities of a Member of Parliament; the Law-making Process – Pre Legislative Process; the Legislative Process – Procedure and Scrutiny; Stakeholder Management and Rules of Procedure and the Conduct of Parliamentary Business.
Others include; Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities; the Oversight
functions of Parliament – Processes and Tools; Effective Communications Skills; MPs Code of Conduct and Etiquette and Negotiating Skills and Consensus-Building.
Continuing, Naa Prof. Nabila entreated the MPs to effectively carry out their mandates by carefully scrutinizing bills when they come before them and engage in healthy criticism and constructive construction of the best laws to guide the country’s development.
He challenged Parliament to carefully scrutinize its procedures in a manner that incorporates positive cultural and traditional values in the conduct of legislative business.
“We are at the threshold of evolving unique governance institutions in Ghana. We now have a ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs; Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts have also been brought together. It is up to the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana to give meaning to these and other changes by applying our minds to dignity and culture, reverence of our traditional institutions and make our youth cherish time and tested traditional values that make Ghana great and proud,”
he stressed.
In his opening remarks prior to the commencement of the seminar, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, entreated Members to bury their differences and work as a team for the attainment of national development.
“The consequences of political intolerance have the potential to undermine capacity of Government to govern, Parliament to legislate and the Judiciary to adjudicate. Indeed, an environment of political intolerance does not create the enabling atmosphere for civil society, and indeed, the citizenry to freely express their views and opinions which are important features in any democratic state,” the Speaker argued.
To achieve a common goal, the Speaker urged Members to continue to dialogue on issues of peace and partner each other in order to reduce, if not stop the ill-feelings of the disadvantaged, grievances, fear and despair which may lead to division violence and instability.
“MPs must partner at all times and let national interest override any other individual interest. We must as much as possible seek to partner or build consensus on bills and other businesses that are brought before the House,” he stressed.
The Moderator of the Methodist Church of Ghana and Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante commenting on the event, said Ghana’s Parliamentary democracy has come of age, but argued that a lot still needed to be done.
He also urged Parliament to constantly evaluate its own internal procedures, rules and mode of work to ensure that they facilitate inclusiveness, harmony in diversity and partnership in decision-making; that they allow for a non-confrontational attempt to reach a common solution in respect of legislation and oversight of
government.
“Parliament should do this bearing in mind the importance of multiparty democracy, which Ghana opted for,” he noted. Commenting further, Prof. Asante urged Members of Parliament to work in harmony and in partnership for the good of mother Ghana.

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