ECOWAS Parliament to be opened -Tia

Takoradi, May 6, GNA - Representation from Member States at the ECOWAS Parliament will by the end of 2010 be opened to all interested citizens to contest through elections to ensure effectiveness and transparency, Mr John Tia Akologu, leader of Ghana's representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament announced on Wednesday.

He said a final decision on the adoption of the universal adult suffrage would be made soon at the plenary session of the ECOWAS meeting in Abuja, Nigeria later this month.

Mr Tia who is the Minister of Information said the new approach by direct Universal Adult Suffrage is aimed at involving all citizens in the work of the ECOWAS Parliament to express views and concerns to deepen democracy and also ensure transparency.

He was speaking at a press conference held in Takoradi to explain the work of the ECOWAS Parliament to enable media personnel to inform and educate the public about its operations.

Flanked by six out of eight of Ghana's ECOWAS parliamentarians, Mr Tia who is also the MP for Telensi said since the inception of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2000, the privilege of representation was bestowed only on elected national parliamentarians.

He said it was envisaged that a directly elected parliament would play a more prominent role in the integration process beyond "the present role of providing advice and being consultative to the Authority of Heads of State, Council of Ministers and other community institutions. "It is expected that parliament's role in the integration process will initially begin with co-decision, before it transforms into direct law-making.

Mr Tia explained that the sub-committee in its report which was adopted by the ECOWAS Parliament, decided to adopt the practice and electoral laws applicable in respective Member States stated as the mode of election for the Community.

"The electoral bodies of respective countries would be responsible for the delineation of national constituencies on the basis of national exigencies, having due regard to the 30 per cent gender balance for an eligible place".

He said a well defined structure that would ensure free and fair election would be made available in due course, adding that the process is fairer, more open and transparent and would promote participation and choice from the grassroots.

According to Mr Tia, the move from consultative parliament would involve the Community to take ownership of the parliament so that decisions taken would be done collectively for all to express their views and suggestions.

The members noted that the present parliament had achieved a lot for the sub-region in areas of helping to expose cyber crime, working towards the single currency (The ECO), free movement of persons and goods, travelling in the sub-region without a visa and the control of the spread of desertification.

Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, Western Regional Deputy Minister, lauded the idea that communities of members states of ECOWAS were to participate fully in the activities of the Parliament, saying it would promote democracy, accountability and transparency as they would be involved in the elections of their own representatives.

"The change over makes the process of regional integration more prominent now than ever before and would, therefore, have the full support of Ghanaians," she stated.

While ECOWAS was formed in Nigeria in 1970 with the signing of the Lagos Treaty by 15 West African States including Ghana, the ECOWAS parliament or Community Parliament was formed in 2000 and has its temporary headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

It has 120 seats, but at present its membership stands at 108 as a result of the withdrawal of Mauritania and the inability of La Cote d'Iviore to assume its seat. Ghana has eight representatives. Other ECOWAS parliamentarians present were Mr Simon Osei Mensah, Mr Michael Nyannu, Mr Kwaku Balado Manu, Madam Elizabeth Sackey and Mr Francis Sarfo.