Diaspora News of Wednesday, 17 August 2005

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Ghanaians in Diaspora want Parliamentary seat

Ghanaians in the Diaspora have expressed their wish to have seats in parliament to enable them have a stake in decisions made by government and also represent their people in the various countries.

They said they have a lot of investments and properties in the country that their input should be taken on board to enable them have a say in the running of the country.

This concern was raised when the Ghanaian community in Germany were making contributions on the representation of the people amendment bill in Hamburg on Sunday after a meeting with the committee on constitutional, legal and parliamentary affairs.

The large Ghanaian community, which attended the forum, was happy that the bills had gone to parliament for debate and passage and were hopeful that they can vote in elections.

Chairman of the committee, Kwame Osei Prempeh, who introduced the two bills, said it is the wish of government to allow them to exercise a right, which has been given to them in the constitution.

He said the parliamentary committee has decided to broaden consultations on the bill to as many Ghanaians as possible to enable them have as many views on the bill as possible.