The Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI) on Thursday, 15th of May 2008 hosted the Parliamentary delegation from Ghana at the Park Plaza Hotel in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 .

The Parliamentary delegation which was in the country at the Invitation of the Irish Parliament had arrived on Monday, 12th May 2008 and as a mark of respect for the AGPI, the Irish Government extended the honour to us to have the chance of meeting with the delegation and learn at first hand the situation back home It must be emphasised that this is the very first time any government delegation has visited the Ghanaian Community in Ireland.

The Parliamentary delegation was made up of The Right Honourable Speaker, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes and his wife Mrs Agnes Sekyi Hughes,

Honourable Mr.Abraham Ossei Aidooh, Majority Leader (NPP)

Honourable Mr. Alan S.K. Bagbin, Minority Leader (NDC)

Honourable Ms Christine Churcher (NPP)

Honourable Mr.Andrew Kingsford Mensah (NPP)

Honourable Mr.Alexander N. Tetteh Enyo (NDC)

Honourable Mr.Apasera (PNC)

Principal Clerk of Parliament, Mr.Matthew Abrefa Taiwia

Senior Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Solomon A. Nkrumah

In his welcome address Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Chairperson of AGPI praised the delegation for taking time off their busy schedule whilst in the country to meet with the Ghanaian community. He said the Ghanaian Community in Ireland was very proud of the visit and believed that it would lead to the recognition we have been denied all this time by the government back home. He said Ghanaians in Ireland have always upheld the good name of our motherland and have been law abiding, disciplined and are working very hard to be of use to our host country and to benefit our families and ourselves.

He said, “It is sad that the government in Ghana fail to recognise our presence here in this Isle land. So many activities have gone on in the UK of which we have not been informed or included”. He was surprised that the government failed to inform us or include the Ghanaian community living in this country when it Floated Government Bonds and Shares recently in London.

Touching on the Ghanaian population in Ireland, which he puts around 4000, Dr Agyapong was of the view that, the Government should establish an embassy in the country and lamented on the fact that the Ghanaian consulate in the country was manned by foreigners when there exists in Ireland today, Ghanaian men and women of integrity who possess both the intellectual and diplomatic know-how to be able to represent the interest of the Ghana government.

He cautioned the government of Ghana against the use of foreigners to man Ghanaian missions abroad especially the one in this country. He cited the high incidence of undesirable elements from West Africa applying for Ghanaian passports and parading themselves as Ghanaians as some of the dangers that such a situation posses.

In concluding his speech, Dr Agyapong implored all Ghanaians in the Republic of Ireland to join hands with him, to say AKWAABA to our law makers. He also wished them the very best and a safe journey back home.

In response, the Speaker, Right Honourable Ebenezer B. Sekyi Hughes said; “As a speaker of the House I don’t make speeches. It is the MPs who make speeches so I am surprised I am being asked to speak”. However, he did not disappoint. He said they were very grateful to the AGPI and the entire Ghanaian Community for hosting them. He said they came to the Republic because of the invitation they had received from the former speaker of the Irish Parliament three years ago. According to him though three years is a long time, he felt the timing is right because it afforded him and the delegation the opportunity of meeting a larger Ghanaian community.

He said they have learned so many things during the visit and they were going home with the knowledge and belief that if all agreements reached were implemented, it would help foster a better understanding and strengthen relations between the two nations.

He stressed on the importance of those of us in Ireland comporting ourselves and being law abiding and hardworking. He stated that we should lead an exemplary life that will be the envy of the host nation as well as other foreign nationals in our midst. He sincerely hoped we would be visiting home very often.

The Majority Leader, Honourable Mr Abraham Ossei Aidooh, in his address stated that Ghana was making progress. He said government has implemented tough and prudent policies that needed to be nurtured and sustained. He said the government received about $4b as remittances from the Ghanaian communities abroad and it was because of this immense contribution that parliament took it upon itself to make it possible for us to vote during elections. He said the ROPA (Representation of Peoples’ Act) was passed to make that possible but that this year it will not be possible for us to vote because of logistics and related problems. He said the constitution makes it abundantly clear that any Ghanaian of sound mind qualifies to vote at elections.

Touching on the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana he said there was consensus among all the political parties that they will support the will of the people no matter who wins. He said they will allow democracy to be the winner and therefore the government is doing everything possible to make this years election free and fair.

The Minority Leader, Honourable Alan S.K. Bagbin in his address echoed the sentiments expressed by the Majority leader. He said his Party supports the principle of free and fair elections and that nobody should be allowed to derail the gains of democracy in Ghana. He said it was such a pleasure for him to address us and that no matter where we are, we should support democracy and make it work in our motherland. He said though they differ on some issues with the government, about 95% of the time, they have always supported government programmes in parliament. He said Ghana is doing well and that we should be careful about what we read in the press because most of the time there is a lot of distortion of facts.

Hon. Bagbin emphasised that a lot of patience was needed in our country as democracy takes root. He advised that we should all get involved and help it work.

Touching on Ireland, he said the two nations were deepening their relationship and he firmly believes that that bond would be sustained over the years.

On ROPA he said the constitution was at variance with some of the issues concerning Ghanaians outside Ghana and it was on those his party disagreed with the government but he is happy to report that those views were taken on board when the bill was being enacted.

It was questions and answers time and the Ghanaian community wanted answers to all of the following questions:

(a) Why can’t Ghana have the unique Personal Social Security numbers from birth as exists in Ireland, the UK and the USA?

(b) What has parliament been doing about lynching and mob justice in Ghana?

(c) Taxation: why is it that only a few people pay tax in Ghana and what is government doing to compel people to file tax returns at the end of the year?

(d) What is the government doing for Kaya-yoo’s?

(e) What policies do Government have for Children? Birth registration? Education?

(f) Investment Climate? Friendly or not friendly?

(g) Tourism? What measures?

(h) The Security situation? Mugging, drugs, rape.

(i) Finally, about the Oil discovery in Ghana, what were government plans towards its exploration, refinery and equitable distribution of the revenue?

The Chairperson, Dr Agyapong closed the occasion by disclosing that the speaker and his entourage had promised to work as a matter of urgency on the situation of non-Ghanaian staff at our consulate in Dublin once an official representation has been received from AGPI on the issue. We bid the delegation an Irish farewell.