News:
July 3, 2017
Member of Parliament at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) legislature, Fredrick Opare Ansah is optimistic the sub Regional law making body will achieve its aim of universal adult suffrage, directly electing representatives despite the slow nature.
He noted in an interview with Ghanamps.com that a prerequisite text that set up ECOWAS Parliament envisaged that one day MPs will be elected directly.
Currently, MPs’ serving in the ECOWAS Parliament from their various sub Regional states, have been given the opportunity to represent their countries, by the fact that they have been elected to serve in their various home countries and allotted various slots.
As it stands today ECOWAS Parliament is an advisory and consultative body, function it delivers to Heads of states, whiles the protocol envisage the practice will change with attempts being made to enhance its powers, Mr. Opare Ansah noted.
“We are looking forward to the day MPs in the ECOWAS Parliament will not have to perform the dual function, serving in their home country parliament and doing same for the ECOWAS Parliament”.
“A dedicated full time to ECOWAS Parliament will allow, us dedicate time for issues affecting the sub Region as pertain in the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the European Union (EU) Parliament”.
The Suhum lawmaker further pointed out that, the enhance powers given to the ECOWAS Parliament for the first time allow its budget come to the House for approval, jointly with the community Ministers. And added that previously budget for ECOWAS Parliament was passed on to the Community Minister for approval.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com