The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has admonished members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to translate the principles of their charter into tangible and measurable outcomes for their citizens in order to guarantee human security.
He said the legislature which was the fulcrum of democracy had the responsibility to represent and promote the interest of its citizens.
“We have the onerous responsibilities as members of the Commonwealth to translate these principles into tangible and measurable outcomes to guarantee human security [and] the legislature in particular as the fulcrum of democracy has the responsibility to represent and promote the interest of the citizenry,” he added.
Opening the 66th CPA Conference in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said these values and principles were fundamental to improving the quality of lives of citizens within the Commonwealth.
The conference, first of its kind to be held in Ghana is on the theme: “The Commonwealth Charter 10 years on: Values and Principles for Parliaments to
Uphold” and is being attended by parliamentarians of member states across the world.
He explained that the charter states the commitment of peace, security and economic development towards improving the lives of the people within the Commonwealth.
“The charter as you are all aware projects the values of good governance, rule of law, protection of fundamental human rights and freedom, promotion of international peace and security as well as the protection of the environment,” he emphasized.
The President stated that the ongoing conference presented the Commonwealth with the unique opportunity to reflect on the progress made in upholding the values and principles projected in the Charter, stressing that “The challenges we face today in our democratic journey do not just put to test our commitment to the principles of the Commonwealth Charter but also call into question the effective application of these principles in responding to the needs and aspirations our citizens.”
President Akufo-Addo who is also the Vice Patron of the CPA by virtue of being President of the host country said the relevance of democracy lied in its ability to better the lives of the people.
“It is important to remind ourselves that part of legitimacy of democracy lies in its capacity to deliver tangible developmental outcomes such as good healthcare, quality education, and affordable housing and to create opportunities for individuals to explore and develop and realise their God-given potentials.
“It is through the accomplishment of these goals that the concept of democracy becomes truly meaningful to our people,” he added.
Touching on peace and security he said terrorism and violent extremism threatened the world with the phenomenon, having increased by 26 per cent according to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index.
“A terror attack on citizens in one part of the globe affects citizens of other parts. Combating terrorism requires coordinated effort by all nations and stakeholders,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo charged parliaments to contribute to that effort of combating terrorism through the enactment of strong legislations to curtail cross border movement of illegal firearms and impose heavy sanctions on offenders.
“Humanity is struggling to live in harmony with nature. The undeniable truth is that our planet is undergoing unprecedented environmental degradation in the wake of climate change,” he observed.
He said the legislature must enact laws in their respective countries and as the Commonwealth to tackle global warming.
The 16-point Charter, adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia in 2012 and signed in 2013 by the late Queen Elizabeth II expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL & JULIUS PETETSI
