Parliament intends to construct “Democracy House” as part of its legacy projects to commemorate the House’s 30th anniversary this year, Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin has said.
He indicated that a sod cutting will soon be done to start the construction of the Democracy House, adding, “We need to inculcate the culture of democracy and these are some of the physical structures that will keep on reminding everybody of the value of democracy.”
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the 30th anniversary celebration of Parliamentary Democracy, the Speaker again announced, “We intend to construct a bust to depict African democracy.”
According to him, the ceremonial gate of Parliament will also be reconstructed as part of the anniversary celebration, in the name of the legacy projects.
He disclosed that Parliament was developing a funding model that would rely on strategic partnerships to deliver “legacy projects rather than public money.”
“We will not depend on the government because we know how we are all struggling to keep things going,” he noted.
The theme for the 30th anniversary celebration is “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy in the Fourth Republic: Challenges and Prospects,” according to the Speaker, who added that a planning committee chaired by the MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, has been formed to guide the House through the festivities.
He stated that the committee’s activities would be coordinated by the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, and urged all MPs to reflect on the theme as the celebration’s programme unfolds.
He stated that the year-long celebration would divide the country into six zones, and that the programmes would be tailored to the unique characteristics of each of the six zones.
“There will be such regional activities such as public forums, mock parliament, football matches, and health walks. At the national level, there will be public forums, football matches and lectures. There will be a documentary on the history of Parliament in Ghana; not only the Fourth Republic,” he disclosed.
“We will also organise award ceremonies for those who have made significant contributions to Ghana’s 30 years of parliamentary democracy in the Fourth Republic and being a spiritual nation, we have planned a prayer and thanksgiving service,” he said.
CPA Conference
“Let me take this opportunity to remind us all that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will hold its annual conference here in Accra. The tentative date is from 30th August to 6th September 2023.
“Selecting Ghana to host this prestigious conference in itself is an honour. Beyond that, it is proof of how the world sees and rates our parliamentary democracy,” he intimated.
Conclusion
According to him, Ghana has had eight successive elections and four government changeovers between the two major political parties.
“On account of that, we can confidently say that we are now a consummate democratic dispensation. However, elections and successful government changeovers are not the only determinants of a working democracy.
“We must focus on strengthening our democratic institutions if we want to have a sustainable democracy,” he concluded.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House