NCCE dialogue sessions promotes democracy and good governance

THE National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), an independent body charged with the responsibility of sensitizing the people on the 1992 constitution and promote democracy, human rights and good governance has chalked yet another feat by organizing successfully the third democracy dialogue in Accra .

The first dialogue in 2014 which had Mr. Justice VCRAC Crabbe and Dr Kodwo Afari Djan as resource persons discussed the implications of the supreme court verdict on the presidential elections and the way forward while the second dialogue looked at the delicate balance of power which had Hon Mike Ocquaye and VCRAC Crabbe as discussants. The first two dialogue sessions helped in answering some questions begging for answers on the issues regarding the workings of the Supreme Court and the constitution. Due to the interest generated by the annual dialogue sessions the Kofi Annan center, venue for the third and latest dialogue for ICT near the parliament house was full to capacity with the audience made up of religious bodies, security personnel, political parties and civil society groups being attentive to presentations and asking questions and making contributions as well.

The two resource persons at the dialogue the majority leader in parliament HON Alban Bagbin and Mr. Ignatius Barfour Awuah, Deputy Minority Chief Whip who led discussions on research findings that assessed the effectiveness of parliament in Ghana’s democracy agreed to a large extent the findings of the report in which Ghanaians expressed confidence in the fourth republican parliament in their roles in enacting laws and working through committees. They also agreed with report that indicates that most Ghanaians do not understand fully the duties of members of parliament leading to many of them expecting MPs to provide their constituents with development projects, demanding school fees for their wards and donations of cash during ceremonies. However it was generally agreed that the demands by the constituents emanate from promises made by some Members of parliament while campaigning for votes. However they also agreed with some respondents in the report that appointment of majority of ministers from parliament which is meant to promote harmonious relationship with the executive is not good enough. To them the hybrid system has weakened parliament to the extent that most MPs often fail to work in the interest of their constituents but work to catch the attention of the executive to offer them ministerial appointments. The discussants and the audience agreed with the call by majority of Ghanaians for separation of parliament from the executive for presidents to stop appointing ministers from parliament. This would make it possible for parliament to play effectively their oversight roles and be able to keep activities of the executive in check. The views expressed by the majority and minority leaders in parliament at the dialogue session shows clearly that many Ghanaians and parliamentarians have realized the need to demand the rights and independence of the legislature from the executive. It looks certain that although recommendations made by the constitution review commission did not include separation of parliament from the executive according to the majority leader it is not too late to effect the change as parliament could make their own inputs in the recommendations of the constitutional review commission later.

An issue that came up from the audience is the lack of ability of the public accounts committee to follow up findings of the Public Accounts committee to deal with erring institutions and culprits mentioned in the findings. But it was made clear by Hon Bagbin that as a result of the work of Public Accounts Committee over the years government has been able to recover huge amounts of money from persons who embezzled the amounts from government outfits adding that some people had to be detained in police cell for going contrary to the laid down principles of accounting. According to Mr. Bagbin although parliament has archived a lot over the years Information on its activities are not often made public. He said that parliament is preparing to open up the work of all committees of parliament to the public through coverage by the media. While commending parliament for its achievements and plans to make its members effective they can succeed only when the government is ready to release the required funds to them. Currently parliamentarians have no offices in their constituencies where they can meet to discuss issues with all their constituents irrespective of the parties they belong. The proposed offices in the job 600 located behind the parliament house began many years ago and meant for all parliamentarians is yet to be completed. Most parliamentarians operate from their homes and had all documents stashed in their car boots. They are unable to access’ their common funds to push for some development projects like roads and schools they promise their constituencies. Consequently most of them are in a merry go round and hide and seek with their constituents when they are called upon to pay fees for wards of some of their constituents and pay up medical bills among other demands.

The NCCE dialogue sessions have helped in creating awareness in people on the work of parliament and have given insight in the constitution to leaders of civil societies, religious bodies and public organizations. However the NCCE led by Mrs. Charlotte Osei would be able to do more in the coming years if and when it gets more funding from the government and donor agencies such as the European Union. For example after holding its dialogue sessions the organization can make follow ups by organizing sensitization programs in schools churches and the civil clubs in all towns and villages n the country to explain to them more about parliament and the constitution generally. This way the entire nation would get informed about issues of democracy for all to know their rights and responsibilities, thereby getting all to contribute their quotas to orderly development of Ghana.

Executive director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
0244 370345/ 0264370345/0208844791 [email protected]/[email protected]