Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey constituency, has been elected as a co-chair of the Global Network of Women Legislators in Defence, Security, and Peace (WLID) at the recently concluded Munich Security Conference held in Munich, Germany.
The WLID, comprising more than 50 legislators from over 25 countries across four continents, serves as a platform to harness the experiences of women legislators actively engaged in policy debates concerning defence, security, and peace. It aims to facilitate the exchange of approaches, mentorship, information on legislative frameworks, and supportive interventions to promote more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous societies.
In an official statement, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings participated in a panel discussion during the conference, where she commended the resilience of Ghana's Fourth Republic, highlighting the successful transitions of power between elected parties and the current composition of the hung parliament as indicators of evolving democratic principles.
Addressing the issue of campaign financing legislation, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized the importance of clear regulations to prevent the illicit use of funds in political campaigns. She also underscored the need for governments to prioritize inclusivity, good governance, and the provision of essential amenities to citizens to avoid democratic setbacks witnessed in some West African countries.
Regarding the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fake news in undermining democratic processes, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed the importance of cybersecurity measures, particularly in a country like Ghana with high mobile phone penetration, which facilitates the rapid dissemination of information, both genuine and false.
Speaking on the topic “Autocratic Trade Trap: Has the West lost its moral compass?” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings advocated for technology exchange initiatives to empower less technologically endowed countries, emphasizing the need for advanced economies to prioritize equity and level the playing field, especially in addressing climate change concerns.
The Munich Conference was attended by prominent figures including President Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Vice-President Kamala Harris of the United States, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, among others.