Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Deputy Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament has urged members of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to renew their commitment to enhancing their democratic systems, making them more responsive to the needs and aspirations of every citizen.
According to him, democracy stands as the best option for nations seeking development in peace and harmony, not coups.
Mr Afenyo-Markin made this known at the Opening Ceremony of the High-Level Interactive Seminar and the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament at the University of Education, Winneba, last Friday.
The Effutu Constituency MP who is the Leader of Ghana’s Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament said democracy in its imperfections, carries within its structures the capacity to rise above the ills that afflict it, fostering environments where innovation, justice, and freedom thrive.
“It is incumbent upon us, the custodians of this sacred trust, to continually refine and enhance these structures, ensuring that they remain resilient in the face of the ever-changing challenges that our societies encounter”, he added.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said “We stand at a juncture where the road we choose will dictate the future of our great region. The recent resurgence of military coups threatens to drag us back to an era we have fought tirelessly to transcend.
“We must firmly CONDEMN the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Gabon, along with the hostilities in Sudan. These actions are a betrayal of the democratic principles we hold dear, and we demand a swift return to constitutional rule. We must affirm, unequivocally, that regression is not the solution. Our golden age lies ahead of us, not in the shadows of the 1960s to 1980s”.
He said “It is under the shade of democracy that we can cultivate the progress we aspire to. It is here that we can construct the schools that will nurture the minds of our future leaders. It is here that we can build modern hospitals to heal our people and foster technology to propel Africa into an era of supreme industrialization in the wake of the AfCFTA. Together, we can construct robust and resilient economies that will position Africa as a formidable competitor on the global stage”.
“We must therefore stand united and protect the sacred flames of democracy and freedom, guided by the enduring spirit of collaboration, resilience, and progress that have defined our journey thus far”, Mr. Afenyo-Markin added.
ECOWAS Parliament in Ghana
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament from all across the West African sub-region with support staff from the ECOWAS Commission have gathered together in the town of Winneba in the Effutu Constituency of the Central Region, to dialogue on the theme: “: The Challenges of Tenure Elongation and Unconstitutional Regime Change in West Africa – The Critical Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.”
