Speaker calls for constant appraisal of political agenda

London, April 1, GNA - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes has observed that Ghana's thriving democracy could be sustained if there were constant appraisal of the country's political agenda. It, therefore, behoves democratic-friendly institutions to lend their support to efforts by governance institutions to undertake such periodic reviews.

The Speaker made this observation at a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Mr Dennis Marshal in London on Thursday.

The meeting was held to discuss the possibility of organising a post- election seminar for Members of Parliament this year to be sponsored by the Association.

Mr Sekyi Hughes noted that although the country stood tall among its neighbours in democratic matters, the continuous review of its performance in multi-partism would offer stakeholders the opportunity to be mindful of their limitations.

He thanked the Secretary-General for readily agreeing to co-sponsor the event.

Mr Marshal said he was glad to see a Commonwealth country, like Ghana taking the leadership role in governance on the African Continent. He also observed that a number of member countries within the Commonwealth were studying carefully the hybrid system Ghana was practising for future adoption.

He urged the Leadership to develop a paper on a clause in Parliament's Standing Orders, which allowed MPs to hold office of profit. This, he said, could also serve as blue print for adoption by other countries.

Present at the meeting were the Minority Leader in Parliament Mr Alban Bagbin, the Majority Chief Whip, Mr Osei Kye-Mensah-Bonsu and the Clerk to Parliament, Mr Ken Tachie.

The delegation has since left for Manila Philippines to attend the 112th conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The IPU is the world's organisation for national parliaments, founded in 1889 to foster peace and security through political dialogue and also to contribute to the development of representative and effective legislative institutions. 01 April 05