Develop good relations with older democracies-Speaker

Accra, (Greater Accra) 22^nd October '99,

Mr. Justice Daniel Francis Annan on Thursday underscored the need for Parliaments in Africa to develop good working relations with their counterparts in the developed world.

Mr. Justice Annan, who made the call during a courtesy call on him by Dr Jan Nico Scholten, President of the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA), said this will enable democratic institutions in developing nations to learn and draw inspiration from the experiences of older democracies.

He expressed concern about the instability in the West African sub-region and blamed the situation on the ups and downs of constitutional governments.

The Speaker urged governments in West Africa to get on board the democratic train to build and strengthen their various institutions to enable them to stand the test of time.

Mr. Justice Annan recalled Ghana's experiences of political instability in the past and said the nation can now take pride in the fact that one Parliament has succeeded the other, adding that this is a healthy sign of sustaining Parliamentary democracy in the country.

He reminded older democracies that countries in the third world are nurturing young democratic institutions and for that matter their teething problems needed to be understood.

Briefing the visiting AWEPA President on the relationships that exist among Parliaments in the sub-region, Mr. Justice Annan, who is also the chairperson of the African Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, said they are "cordial and healthy."

He said apart from establishing the West African Speakers' Conference, whose primary objective is to promote the exchange of ideas and set up the West African Parliament, members are bent on strengthening inter-Parliamentary relationships not only at the sub-regional and continental levels but also at the Commonwealth level.

The Speaker said he regretted that lack of funding has not made it possible for Ghana's Parliament to put in place certain structures and stressed the need to co-ordinate the programme of financial assistance from donor agencies.

By so doing, he said, Parliament will be able to meet the requirements of three basic areas namely, committee rooms, library and research centre and members' offices.

Replying, Dr Scholten assured Mr. Justice Annan that AWEPA will develop a framework of fruitful co-operation with Ghana's Parliamentary system and said he hoped this will help create cordial relations to ensure the achievement of democratic excellence in the country.

Dr Scholten, whose visit is the first to West Africa, urged political parties to work together to ensure the success of the country's young democratic dispensation.

Mr. Justice Annan, later, exchanged gift with the AWEPA President.

GRi../