Accra (Greater Accra), 13 Jan. '99 -

Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of Parliament, said today that the prospects for a sustained democratic governance and political stability for Ghana are very bright.

Mr Justice Annan said this is due to the commitment of the various political forces to representative government as the foundation for the pursuit of economic progress.

''In pursuit of this noble goal, parliament will continue to stand as

a symbol of national unity in the face of religious, ethnic and political

diversity''.

Mr Justice Annan was speaking in Accra at the sixth National Public

Forum and Photo Exhibition on Parliament on the theme ''Parliament on the

threshold of the 21st Century''.

He said parliament, in the next century, will not present itself as a

congress of delegates from different opposed backgrounds but as one family with

a common positive sense of purpose to serve Ghana at all times.

Mr Justice Annan believed that the seed of democracy sown six years

ago at the commencement of the Fourth Republic, will be nourished in the new

millennium which offers its own unique global and domestic challenges and

opportunities.

''The ability of our democratic process to take advantage of such

opportunities and the challenges of increased competitiveness will in part

depend on what focus our parliament adopts in its relationship with the various

organs of state.

''And the extent to which it is able to foster a climate in which freedom

of speech and co-operation will flourish and gain impetus''.

The well attended forum had among its audience Nana Konadu Agyeman

Rawlings, first lady and president of the 31st December Women's Movement,

ministers of state, MPs, the diplomatic corps, chiefs, heads of donor

organisations, ministries and departments, NGOs, students and the general

public.

The forum is aimed among others at bringing parliament closer to the people

and to give them the opportunity to interact with the house as well as seek

clarification on parliamentary events.

Mr Justice Annan said the house will continue to perform its general law

making and policy review functions through its established structures and

procedures, as well as exercising its oversight functions over the operations of

the state.

He said with more financial and technical assistance, parliament will be

able to improve on its practice and procedure which will give it greater

capacity to ensure that the government machinery is more efficient and

accountable.

In the next century, parliament should be in a position to acquire a well

equipped library and research centre with supporting legislative research

assistants to assist MPs obtain a steady flow of information needed for the

efficient performance of their functions.

''This facility is indeed as indispensable as the institution of parliament

itself'', he stressed.

Mr Justice Annan expressed the hope that with an intensified general,

civic and political education and awareness creation, the public will explore

the platform offered by parliament to seek redress for their concerns and

grievances.

''If you have a problem, feel free to see your MPs, discuss it with them

and try together to work out an understanding of your problem, what the MP can

and cannot do and then reach an acceptable solution''.

He further urged the public to write to him personally on any issue

bothering them.

He emphasised that the realisation of hopes and aspirations of sustained

democratic system depends on the critical contribution of everyone irrespective

of his political persuasions.

Mr Justice Annan gave an account of the work of parliament during last

year, which involved the passage of 20 bills intended to address among other

things, issues and problems relating to economic, financial, social, political,

environmental, security and the general welfare of the nation.

The house also enacted 12 legislative instruments and took resolutions on

a number of loan agreements and international conventions.

''For the first time, Parliament exercised its constitutional authority

to grant tax and duty exemptions on specific plant, machinery and equipment and

other related items imported under donor assisted road projects',' he added.

The house used its mechanisms of motions, statements and questions to

ensure that government was not indifferent to the impact of administrative

actions upon its citizens.