Government urged to resource Parliament

Accra, Oct. 6, GNA - The creation of a new political structure such as a second chamber of Parliament for chiefs and other opinion leaders as being advocated by some politicians is irrelevant to the current political dispensation, Dr Boni Yao Gebe, Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Legon Centre For International Affairs (LECIA), University of Ghana, Legon, has said.

The Government, he said should rather adequately resource and strengthen the capacity of the Legislature and other democratic bodies so that they could effectively discharge their duties towards good governance and national development.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday, Dr Gebe said "The establishment of new political institutions would be a waste of time, funds, duplication of efforts and political opportunism when our Legislature for instance lacks sufficient personnel, logistics and infrastructure to enable it to function effectively."

He urged Government to ensure that the National Media Commission, Electoral Commission, National Commission on Civic Education, the Police Service among other state institution effectively worked towards the deepening of the country's democracy.

Dr Gebe stressed the need to redefine the role of the chieftaincy institution, to enable chiefs to meaningfully contribute to national development.

He suggested that the National House of Chiefs should be empowered to complement the role of the Council of State in advising the President on pertinent national issues, particularly those affecting the socio-cultural development of the country.

The Research Fellow urged chiefs: "To work hand in hand with the District Assemblies and other institutions operating under the Local Government system to eradicate ignorance, poverty, illiteracy and diseases and to ensure the provision of basic infrastructure for the people."

Dr Gebe urged policy makers to consult traditional rulers in the planning and execution of development projects to ensure that such projects reflect the real developmental needs of the people.