Accra, May 29, GNA - The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Freddie Blay, on Thursday commended the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its significant contribution towards attainment of effective democratic governance in the country.

He noted in particular, the contributions of leading NDC members including Mr Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, the party's General Secretary and Mr. Kofi Attoh, Director of External Affairs.

Mr Blay, who is also the Convention People's Party (CPP) Member of Parliament for Ellemble made the commendation during the official launch of the Third Daily Graphic Governance Dialogue 2008 in Accra.

The Third Dialogue on the general theme: "Effective Democratic Governance: The Role of Stakeholders" was chaired by Osahene Offei Kwesi Agyeman IV, Krontihene of Akuapem Traditional Area and Board Chairman of Graphic Communications Group Limited. The dialogue is fixed for August 5th and 6th at the Accra International Conference Centre. A book on the Second Dialogue was launched by Mr Blay on behalf of the Speaker Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes.

Speaking on the theme, Mr Blay said as the nation prepared for the December general polls it was appropriate for Ghanaians to discuss problems resulting from bad governance, which had invariably contributed to the retardation of development on the African continent.

"The fact is, the failure of democratic institutions to function properly weakens their legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens," he said. He explained that the tendency of Africans to accommodate authoritarian regimes turned to be greater in countries with high income inequalities.

The Deputy Speaker urged African experts to use the Daily Graphic Dialogue platform to bring to a sharp focus attributes of good governance and articulate its benefit and relevance to prosperity, development and good democratic culture of the continent. He expressed surprise that only the NDC was represented at the function.

Mr Ransford T. Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Editor of Daily Graphic, explained that all the other political parties were invited and expressed surprise that they failed to turn up.

Mr Ibrahim Awal, Managing Director of Graphic Communications, explained the rationale behind the institution of the annual dialogue series which began in 2006.

He said the dialogue sought to provide a platform for discussion of governance issues germane to Africa's growth and development and improvement of the quality of life of its people. 29 May 08