Political Scientist and Director of the Center for European Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of sole initiation of the passport application fee increments without consulting other stakeholders.
He noted that the right step the Ministry should have taken was to engage all necessary stakeholders to ensure it comes out with an increment that is favorable to all and is reflective of the country’s present economic state.
He indicated that the present objection to the increment in passport application charges is due to the Ministry’s failure to engage key stakeholders in the decision-making process.
He argued that the failure of governments and their agencies to take into account public input in decision-making breeds misunderstanding on both parts.
“I don’t know what has gone into it but since everybody is talking about it, it is important to take a second look at the fees and make sure that they address this problem. There’s no point in putting the price of the fees so high that people cannot access it”
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
Furthermore, Dr. Asah-Asante noted that the passport is not a document given out to accrue profit, indicating that issuing passports to citizens is a service a state renders to its citizens. He however argued that ideally, a state is not supposed to engage in any business venture for profit.
He suggested that contrary to what it may seem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may not aim to make a profit through the issuance of passports. He, therefore, noted that the present prices of passport applications are extraordinarily high and the Ministry must take steps to review them.
Rights of The Ghanaian Child
Commenting on the Gborbu Wulomo’s marriage saga, Dr. Asah-Asante noted that the necessary state institutions engaged in the issue must give the issue their due diligence to uncover the actual facts of the matter to clear the confusion caused by the many narratives being speculated about the event.
He argued that while the display of custom and tradition adds meaning to the lives of Ghanaians, these customs and traditions must not infringe on the rights of a person, especially, the rights of a child.
He indicated that the Children’s Act dictates that the child’s interest must be paramount in every decision society and parents or guardians take. He opined that the stakeholders, in their probe into the issue, will take into consideration the child’s interest and provide solutions accordingly.
“I am worried because this should not happen in a country where we are one of the first to come up with a Children’s Act which is so beautifully crafted. Why are we here where the maintenance of children is a problem and where children’s rights are abused? Issues of early marriage and forced marriage a still prevalent”.
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
He advised the government to do more to improve the lives of children as they have become more vulnerable than ever in the current economic situation.
He indicated that children are being forced to sell or beg on the street to make a living due to the financial situations they face in their homes. “They sell and don’t even go to school,” he added.
Furthermore, Dr. Asah-Asante disclosed that the government is quick to pass laws that pile onto existing laws but the application of such laws becomes a problem.
He indicated that the United States legislative arm of government is noted for its uniqueness because it ensures that any law it passes is implemented which is the direct opposite of what happens in Ghana where legislators do not monitor laws to ensure their effectiveness.
As such he advised the Parliament of Ghana to follow in the steps of the US legislative body by venturing out to ascertain that laws being passed in Parliament are being implemented efficiently. He emphasized that this will ensure the time and resources used in passing laws do not go to waste.
Conclusively, the Political Scientist indicated that the government must ensure people are educated on laws and their implementation to avoid the risk of the country being constantly captured in international human rights reports for its aberration from human rights conduct.
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