Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin with other stakeholders at the Speaker’s Seminal Lecture
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin, has urged Ghanaians to come together to protect the country’s democracy in the face of threats to its sanity and sanctity.
Speaking at the first Parliament’s seminal lecture held in Tamale, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the need for collective action to prevent the 2024 elections from becoming a platform for the defilement of Ghana’s democracy.
He noted that despite recent challenges, Ghana has made progress in its search for a better system of government and development, and it is the responsibility of all citizens to sustain and improve on these efforts.
The Speaker praised the people of the northern extraction for producing the two main contenders for the presidency, saying that the world is watching them.
According to Mr. Bagbin, Ghana is the centre of the world, the black star of Africa, and the Mecca of the black race, and that Ghanaians must showcase their collective energy and wisdom to protect their democracy.
“Trust is a key ingredient in human relationships. This ingredient is gradually eluding us. But we cannot achieve free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections without trust. To achieve this goal of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections, we must work together to build trust in ourselves and our institutions of state,” he said.
The lecture, held at the University for Development Studies (UDS) at Dungu campus in the Northern Region, was attended by dignitaries, including politicians, traditional leaders, and civil society organisations.
The lecture, themed “Working Together, Building Trust for Free, Fair, Credible, and Peaceful Elections: The Role of Stakeholders,” was part of a series of events commemorating 30 years of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.
He continued, “The choices we make in the coming months will define not just our legacy, but the fate of our democracy. We either rise above the temptations of short-term gains, or succumb to the allure of power at any cost. Democracy is not a zero-sum game.”
Mr. Bagbin also urged leaders to lead with integrity and vision, the media to report with fairness and truth, security forces to protect with impartiality and professionalism, and civil society to engage with vigilance and purpose.
To citizens, he said: “Vote with wisdom and courage. The 2024 elections are not just about choosing leaders—they are about choosing the kind of nation we want to be.”
Speaker Bagbin stressed that the upcoming elections are a critical moment for Ghana, and it is essential to choose wisely, opting for peace, unity, and democracy.
A panel of distinguished experts, comprising Prof. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Security Consultant, Kofi Bentil, Private Legal Practitioner and Imani Africa Vice President, and Mr. Samuel Tettey from the Electoral Commission, shared their expertise on the theme.
Their thought-provoking presentations highlighted the importance of collaboration and trust-building among stakeholders to guarantee a peaceful and credible electoral process in Ghana.
By Eric Kombat, Tamale