Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, , has been elected Chairman of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), a renowned inter-governmental pro-democracy group.
The election of Ghana for the chairmanship of the IDEA Council took place during the 18th Session of the Council of Member States of IDEA currently ongoing in Mexico City.
The three-day Session which ended yesterday had Alhaji Mumuni as one of the key dignitaries and speakers on issues of global development and consolidation of democracy.
The Session also witnessed the convening of IDEA's annual democracy roundtable meeting under the theme: “Democracy at crossroad – the challenges of illicit finance in politics.”
Ghana had, within the week, retained its membership of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and also elected Chair of the group at the just-ended Commonwealth Summit held in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago. By virtue of Ghana's election, the Foreign Minister will Chair the CMAG for a two-year period.
The CMAG is the adjudicatory body responsible for ensuring compliance of the core values and principles of the Commonwealth.
In a telephone interview yesterday, the Foreign Minister expressed excitement about Ghana's continued recognition within the international community as a trailblazer in the area of democratic development, rule of law and the protection of human rights freedoms.
Alhaji Mumuni said the confidence reposed in Ghana by the international community is clearly in recognition of the fact that Ghana now serves as a model of democracy and a beacon of hope for most African and developing countries.
The Council of Member States of IDEA is the ultimate decision making and governing body of the Institute.
Having been elected to Chair the Council, Ghana will host the 19th Session of the Council in December 2010 during which the next chair will be elected.
The Session usually brings together Foreign Ministers of all member states of IDEA to deliberate on issues of global democratic development.
The global pro-democracy group was established as an inter-governmental organization by 14 countries in Stockholm, Sweden in 1995. With its headquarters in Stockholm, IDEA seeks to promote and advance sustainable democracy worldwide through a global effort to consolidate democratic electoral processes.
Currently, IDEA has 25 members with Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Cape Verde and Ghana as the only African members. Other member countries include Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, among other.
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