The Founding President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe has lauded the decision by Parliament to allow Members of Parliament to use local languages during parliamentary proceedings.
Mr Cudjoe while emphasizing the importance of incorporating local languages in Parliament’s works commended the efforts of the Effutu Member of Parliament, Honorable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin towards the decision by Parliament.
“I was delighted to hear that Ghana’s Parliament will now allow the use of local languages in conducting business”
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President, IMANI Africa
According to Mr Cudjoe, the roots of such development can be traced back to July 2015 when Honorable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, now the Deputy Majority Leader, passionately appealed for the provision of facilities to encourage the use of local languages in parliamentary proceedings.
Mr Cudjoe further noted that the Honorable Afenyo-Markin, through his mastery of parliamentary procedure stressed the need of allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) who felt comfortable making submissions in local languages, and as such it is right for him to be saluted for his advocacy.
Furthermore, Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa recounted a notable incident that highlighted the need for such change which occurred in November 2015 when reggae musician and radio show host, Blakk Rasta, appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Privileges.
He noted that the grammatical errors made by two members of Parliament during the interrogation underscored the challenges faced when using English exclusively during parliamentary proceedings.
According to Mr Cudjoe, the push for the use of local languages gained momentum as Honorable Afenyo-Markin attempted to make his submission in the Fante language, in which he argued that one’s ability to speak fluent English should not be the sole measure of intelligence and wisdom.
“The MP for Adentan at the time, Mr. Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, in a question to the Editor of the Searchlight newspaper, Mr. Ken Kuranchie, asked: ‘I would like to know from Mr. Ken Kuranchie, in your paper, did you attribute (sic) the story to Adom FM online. Did you also speak (sic) to Blakk Rasta?’
“The member for Effigya Sekyere East, Mr Henric David Yeboah, who filed the complaints with the House, also kept referring to Blakk Rasta as ‘Brack Rasta’. Since then, one news report said, ‘Some radio presenters have played both voices on their stations and made humorous anecdotes of the errors to provoke laughter”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Speaker Of Parliament Lauded For His Activist Role
Moreover, the seasoned anti-corruption crusader and good governance enthusiast commended the effort and activist role of the Rt. Honorable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, which has ultimately led the adaptation of local languages in parliamentary proceedings.
Mr Cudjoe strongly asserted that as the House prepares to welcome new Members of Parliament in the next Parliament to replace seasoned members skilled in English, such a move is a timely response to the changing dynamics of the political landscape.
In addition, the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education Founding President, Franklin Cudjoe while commending the decision, expressed optimism that such a move would ensure and promote a more inclusive parliamentary environment.
He urged Members of Parliament such as the Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Honorable Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to make preliminary remarks in local languages like Fante and Ewe.
Mr Cudjoe also indicated that allowing Members of Parliament to communicate in their native languages could bring attention to crucial issues affecting various communities across the country.
However, on the other hand, Mr Cudjoe emphasized that while the incorporation of local languages is essential for effective communication, English remains a universal language that cannot be replaced, and hence there is a need for all Members of Parliament to embrace the learning of the language.
Drawing parallels to global trends, Mr Cudjoe stated the importance of Members of Parliament to learn other international languages, citing examples of people learning Chinese for economic reasons and Australians considering the adoption of Korean due to economic ties.
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