Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has strongly cautioned against the growing calls for a military regime in Ghana, emphasizing the dire consequences and counterproductivity of such a move.
Instead, he urged the nation to unite and reform the 30-year-old multi-party democratic system to align with the developmental aspirations of the people.
Speaking during a visit to celebrate 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy under Ghana’s Fourth Republic, Speaker Bagbin highlighted the importance of acknowledging and rectifying flaws within the current political system to uphold multi-party democracy, which he deemed the best choice for sustainable development.
He emphasized that history shows no nation has developed through any other system aside from democracy.
The Speaker’s remarks were made during a visit to Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, where other prominent parliament leaders were present.
This anniversary celebration aims to enhance public understanding of parliament’s role and to foster discussions on enhancing the political system.
Bagbin attributed previous calls for military rule to a lack of understanding of parliamentary democracy, leading to destabilizing coups in various African countries. To counter this, he stressed the importance of reaching out to citizens to restore confidence and appreciation for the democratic system.
The Speaker also raised concerns about the influence of political parties on Members of Parliament (MPs) and the lack of emphasis on constituents’ interests.
He noted the importance of quality representation over party lines and advocated for better representation of women, youth, vulnerable groups, and chiefs in the political landscape.
Bagbin also emphasized the importance of developing indigenous languages for national development, pointing out that countries like South Africa and those in East Africa were advancing by leveraging their common languages.
Amid the celebration, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II underlined the need for Ghana to guard against Western manipulation and embrace indigenous approaches for expedited development.
The visit concluded with symbolic exchanges of gifts, reflecting mutual respect and appreciation between the Speaker and the Oguaamanhen.
