Two dignitaries call on the Speaker of Parliament

Accra, Oct. 12, GNA - Two diplomats in Ghana, the Chinese Ambassador, Gong Jianzhong and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, on Tuesday called on the Speaker of Parliament. The two dignitaries, who met the Speaker, Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo in Accra in her office separately, held a closed-door discussion with her.

Mr Gong, Chinese Ambassador, told reporters after the meeting that Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to have built good relations with China.

He said the relationship had developed fast because of the commitment of the two countries adding that the recent visit of President John Evans Atta Mills had facilitated the friendship. "Both sides hope to keep the relationship," he said. He said discussions with the Speaker centred on how Ghana and China could strengthen parliamentary practice adding that "we have a strong intention to build the Parliaments of the two countries." Ms Sandhu-Rojon said the discussions centred on the role of parliament in Ghana's effort of realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

She said UNDP would assist in affirmative action to encourage more women to venture into leadership. Sandhu-Rojon noted that such efforts would be realised through gender budgeting, capacity building and education of women to enhance their readiness to take up leadership positions. She stressed that the UNDP would also assist parliament in the ongoing Constitution review process. Justice Bamford-Addo stated that in November 2009, the Speaker and the leadership of parliament met to seek guidance for a long-term collaboration with UNDP.

The meeting, she said, culminated in the proposal of a Joint Annual Work Plan for 2010-2011 and beyond. According to her, it would involve supporting Parliament to effectively participate in the Constitution Review process, support members of Parliament, parliamentary clerks and the Research Directorate of parliament to enhance capacity and analytical work. She noted that the joint initiative would strengthen budget review capacity for MDG compliance, budget allocation and utilization and create the enabling environment for budget review process.