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The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) delegation from Ghana has intimated that their work is being hampered in a number of ways by member nations’ failure to ratify the Protocol that attempts to transform the PAP into a full-fledged legislative body.
The five-person delegation claims that because PAP is an advisory body and that their best option is to create model laws to serve as guidelines for all members, they cannot compel any member countries to closely adhere to their standards.
When they briefed the Parliamentary Press Corps and members of the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) about the recently concluded Second Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament held in Midrand, South Africa, the delegation, led by the First Deputy Speaker Hon. Joseph Osei-Owusu, made this information clear.
The Pan-African Parliament requires a minimum of 28 countries to ratify what is also known as the Malabo Protocol to give it the power to become a fully-fledged legislative organ but only 15 countries including Ghana have signed the Protocol.
Addressing the media, Hon. Joseph Osei-Owusu noted that most people do not know the work of the Pan-African Parliament even though Ghana has ratified the Protocols because that aspect of visibility in terms of making the public know the work they do is missing. He urged the media to help publicise the activities of PAP.
The Member of Parliament for Asawase, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who also chairs the Finance Committee of PAP, noted that despite all the challenges such as lack of funds, high attrition rate affecting members and absenteeism of member countries confronting PAP, it has been able to achieve some positive results.
He was of the view that if many industrial players, businessmen and individuals decide. to use the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) it will generate some revenue to support the work of PAP.
PAPSS is a centralized financial market infrastructure that makes it possible to send money across African boundaries in an effective and secure manner. Additionally, it reduces risk, supports regional financial integration, and is connected to complementary trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Sammy Obeng, Executive Director of PNAfrica and Head of the APPN Secretariat, briefed the media on the importance of paying close attention to PAP’s work and emphasized that his organization, in partnership with the Media Relations Department of Ghana’s Parliament, will step up efforts to inform the public about the activities of PAP.
Hon. Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, and Mfantsiman MP Hon. Ophilia Mensah Hayford are additional members of the PAP delegation.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
