President Akufo-Addo has called for concerted efforts geared towards addressing critical issues confronting Commonwealth nations.
He revealed that the Commonwealth Charter binds the Commonwealth together and directs the actions of Member States through their shared values and principles, which the Charter embodies.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the Charter emphasizes the commitment of Member States to building free, just and democratic societies, as well as to the advancement of peace, security and economic development towards improving the quality of lives of the peoples within the Commonwealth.
Moreover, he explained that the Charter equally projects the values of good governance, the rule of law, protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms, promotion of international peace and security, as well as protection of the environment.
Delivering the keynote address at the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, at the Accra International Conference Centre today, October 4, 2023, he expressed delight that Ghana, after several decades of dedicated membership of the Commonwealth is hosting the Conference for the first time.
“This Conference is being held at a time when the world is confronted with a myriad of grave issues, including environmental, financial and security ones, which are having negative impacts on lives and livelihoods, especially for those of us in developing countries. Surmounting these challenges requires collective and concerted efforts, whilst upholding the democratic and human rights principles that validate our common existence as a Commonwealth of Nations.”
President Akufo-Addo
Undoubtedly, President Akufo-Addo noted that the values enshrined in the Charter and its principles are fundamental to building just, inclusive and prosperous societies for all. In light of this, he revealed that the nations under the Commonwealth have the onerous responsibility, as Members of the Commonwealth, to translate these principles into tangible and measurable outcomes to guarantee human security.
“The Legislature, in particular, as the fulcrum of democracy, has the responsibility to represent and promote the interests of the citizenry.”
President Akufo-Addo
Moreover, President Akufo-Addo expressed the need for African countries to embrace democracy, as it is on the decline in Africa and in particular the West African sub-region. He warned that if all do not rise against the development, more of such coups will happen.
“Through a series of coup d’états and military interventions in government to justify democratic regression, it is in the interest of democratic growth that this development is reversed as soon as possible.”
President Akufo-Addo
Support of Commonwealth to fight coup in African nations
The President further called on the Commonwealth Parliament to support the ECOWAS and the African Union in their efforts to restore democracy and democratic institutions in the junta-led countries.
He equally underscored the need for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and the commonwealth itself to join ECOWAS and the African Union in demanding the immediate and unconditional release from unjustifiable detention of the democratically elected president of the republic of Niger, His Excellency Mohammed Bazoum.
“And we give maximum support to ECOWAS, the regional body of West Africa and the African Union, the continental organisation in their efforts to restore democratic institutions in the affected nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Gabon. Also in whatever dispositions we take to stem the tide of this unwelcome influence.”
President Akufo-Addo
Democracy, President Akufo-Addo indicated, and the stability that generally accompanies democratic governance are essentially for the future prosperity of the African people.
He, however, insisted that Ghana will not follow in the steps of the junta-led countries.
“Ghana has remained steadfast in her commitment to upholding the values outlined in the commonwealth charter. In our journey since the inception of the 4th republic some 30 years ago, we proudly witnessed the smooth transition from one democratically elected government to another of a different party on three separate occasion.”
President Akufo-Addo
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