The President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called upon Commonwealth Parliamentarians to uphold democratic principles and the core values of the Commonwealth.
Speaker Bagbin made this appeal during the official opening of the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra.
In his address, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the significance of these values and principles, enshrined in the Charter, in uniting CPA members.
He encouraged fellow parliamentarians to collectively strive for the restoration of dignity to elected offices and the rebuilding of trust and confidence in democratic processes and institutions, stating, “Let’s encourage ourselves to endeavor to restore dignity to elected offices and to rebuild trust and confidence in democratic processes and institutions.”
The CPA serves as an international network comprising 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures, working collaboratively to strengthen the Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of democratic governance.
The week-long conference, themed “The Commonwealth Charter 10 years on Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold,” was officially inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo, providing a platform for discussions and cooperation among Commonwealth Parliamentarians on matters related to the Charter and the enduring values it represents.
The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter, a document that outlines the core principles and values of the Commonwealth.
During the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Accra, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin addressed the importance of these principles and values, particularly in the context of parliamentary democracy.
In his speech, Speaker Bagbin recognized that while some developed countries have successfully achieved a robust separation of government powers, this goal remains elusive for certain parliaments.
He emphasized that democracy cannot truly flourish unless deliberate efforts are made to safeguard the independence of parliaments.
Quoting James Madison, the Fourth President of the United States, Speaker Bagbin reiterated the dangers of consolidating legislative, executive, and judicial powers in the same hands, which he aptly described as the very definition of tyranny.
Speaker Bagbin went on to propose methods to strengthen parliaments, advocating for the empowerment of oversight committees to conduct thorough reviews of government actions, budgets, and policies.
He also stressed the importance of civic education programs designed to educate citizens about their rights and the imperative of protecting parliamentary democracy.
Furthermore, he underscored the critical role that parliaments should play in leveraging their strong relationships with civil society and the media to encourage public participation in parliamentary affairs and expose any violations of democratic principles.
When discussing the state of parliamentary democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, Speaker Bagbin expressed pride in Ghana’s role as the host of the 66th CPA conference.
He highlighted Ghana’s remarkable 30-year journey of maintaining stable parliamentary democracy, emphasizing that parliamentary democracy has become an integral part of their governance framework.
“In a sub-region that has recently witnessed democratic reversals, our nation stands as a beacon of stability,” stated Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, reflecting on Ghana’s resilient democracy as the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter is celebrated.
Speaker Bagbin emphasized the critical role of preserving democracy, particularly in light of challenges faced by countries in the West African sub-region and Africa as a whole.
He urged parliaments in the region to deeply analyze the reasons behind declining trust in democratic leadership and the recent incursions of the military into governance, emphasizing the importance of vigilance: “We should be able to pick the signals should there be any and steer our democracies away from such incidents.”
Speaker Bagbin also pinpointed various issues contributing to the erosion of trust, including high-level corruption, nepotism, the neglect of citizens’ aspirations in favor of personal interests, and policies that exacerbate poverty while promoting opulence among the political elite.
He noted that some countries have seen elections become highly transactional, with immediate personal gain being the dominant currency, further exacerbating the cycle of mistrust in political leadership and institutions within the sub-region.
Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, Leader of Government Business in Parliament, and Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the CPA, welcomed attendees and underlined the CPA’s mission to address critical issues facing parliaments, including democracy promotion, good governance, and the advancement of development for their constituents.
Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General of the CPA, emphasized the organization’s commitment to implementing the values outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.
He highlighted the Charter’s role in providing benchmarks for democratic legislation within the Commonwealth and its effectiveness in assisting Commonwealth parliaments in enhancing their practices and sharing democratic best practices.
Ian Liddel-Grainger, MP, Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, reaffirmed the CPA’s unwavering dedication to parliamentary democracy and its mission to strengthen the principles of democracy.
