Recent coups in West Africa’s sub-region worrying – Speaker – Skyy Power FM

The speaker of parliament, Alban Kingsford Bagbin says the recent coups in the West African sub-regions are a dent to the profile of the region.

The Alban Bagbin speaking at Ghana’s Parliament 30th Anniversary in the fourth republic’s forum in Takoradi on Tuesday, August 8, said the reversal of democratic gains in Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Niger recently is not a palatable narrative for the profile of our sub-region.

He said It could well be because, to the citizens, democracy has not lived up to its billing as anticipated by the electorate.

The speaker said, “What is obvious in all these is the erosion of trust and confidence in the political class. This is indeed the case for many democracies across the world.”

“I had the occasion to say recently that there is a huge dissonance between our words as politicians and our actions. In particular, our assurances are not supported by any empirical data.”

Mr Bagbin said this has made political conduct highly transactional, with instant personal benefits to the voter as the currency. As a result, the trust and confidence that voters had in democracy have been trumped.

The Speaker said both politicians and observers of the political space, show a worrying emerging trend.

He said what is coming to the fore the world over is that the public, generally, holds those they elect into office as well as democratic institutions in very low esteem.

“My concern here is Parliament and not the other organs of government. Not only are MPs regarded with cynicism and distrust by those they represent, but there is a lack of understanding by citizens as to the true role of the institution and MPs – how they operate, the duties of MPs, what they do, and the value of their service and other deliverables.” He added.