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Ghana's Parliament
Walks the Union Dream
Kweku Asare, ACCRA
Accra, June 28, Ghanadot - Ghana’s Parliament like a host of
others on Wednesday June 27, 2007 inched closer to the dream
of a United African State with the adoption of a motion and
subsequent ratification of a resolution on Amendments to the
Constitutive Act of the African Union well as the African
Union (AU) Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact.
The Protocol on the Amendment to the Act, provides among
others for additions to definitions of key expressions;
additional objectives; the principle of intervention in the
affairs of other states on humanitarian ground including
prohibition of any member state from allowing the use of its
territory as a base for subversion against another state …
and promoting the participation of women as well as Africans
in the diaspora in the affairs of the AU and the continent.
The Common Defence Pact provides for member states to
collaborate and exchange information for the prevention and
combat of terrorism and to encourage member states to desist
from allowing their territories to be used for terrorist
activities.
Even though the two items were passed under a certificate of
urgency, with reservations from the Minority who said they
would have preferred a longer debate on them, there was
unanimity in moving towards the ideals they held.
Mr John Mahama, Spokesman for Foreign Affairs for the
opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and MP for
Bole Bamboi said it was refreshing to have a situation that
was a complete departure from the earlier case of
non-interference in each member states’ affairs, a situation
which usually resulted in some leaders maltreating their
people and often political opponents in ways which could not
be addressed by anyone else.
“It is a good means of avoiding a genocidal situation as we
experienced in some parts of the continent.”
Mr Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central described the
occasion as momentous for Ghana, especially at an occasion
such as this when Ghana not only is chairing the AU, but is
also hosting the AU Summit itself.
He was leased that he Protocol raises certain pertinent and
significant issues and called for care in adopting the
principles.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Chief Whip and NPP MP said the
road map to the test of the Protocol lay in the Peer Review
Mechanism being spread across he continent.
He pleaded for honesty and truthfulness among member states,
saying they should come with an open mind to the discussion
tables and talk about the issues instead of dodging them.
Citing the case of Darfur, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said African
leaders were well aware of the killings that was going on
resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 innocent people
including women and children. “but nothing concrete was said
or done to avert the situation nor to bring the perpetrators
to book.”
Mr Enoch Teye Mensah was concerned about the numerous
protocols that Parliament was signing, which leaders were
not acceding to and implementing to the letter and called
for boldness and commitment in their part to enforce and
implement them.
His other concern was electoral fraud, which AU and African
leaders and institutions refuse to comment on. He referred
to the situations that arose in Togo and Nigeria recently
saying while international electoral bodies condemned the
conduct, African leaders were mute.
The pact is significant in several ways with objectives as
promoting cooperation among member states in the areas of
non-aggression and common defence, promoting peaceful
existence, prevention of conflict of inter-state and
intra-state nature and ensuring the resolution of disputes
by peaceful means.
The Pact would certainly enhance Ghana image as a pioneering
state which has contributed significantly towards the
establishment of the OAU, now AU and to the political and
socio-economic development of Africa.
Apart from this, ithe Pacxt would assist in securing the
stability on the continent, a necessary condition for
sustaining democratic governance and economic development.
It is important to note that Ghana is currently the number
four peace contributing country in the world and one of the
pioneers of the call for establishing the African Standby
Force and by ratifying the Pact would be providing the
necessary impetus for the country to play a lead role as a
member state.
The Protocol on its part would among others entrench good
governance including gender mainstreaming, and the promotion
of maintenance of peace and security within the Union and
beyond.
For the ordinary man, peace is of the essence and anything
that goes to enhance it would be most welcomed. The onus is
now o the leaders to bring these wonderful ideals to pass.
We are watching.
Kweku Asare, June 28, 2007, Ghanadot.com
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