Akufo-Addo Worried West African Democracy Witnessing A Decline, Urges Parliamentarians To Act

• Nana Akufo-Addo has said West Africa's democracy is under threat and has asked MPs to save it
• He made the appeal when he spoke at the the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar held in Winneba in the Central Region on Friday, September 29, 2023
• He appealed to members of the ECOWAS Parliament to speak against the extension of presidential term limits by some leaders

President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged parliamentarians in West Africa to save democracy in the sub-region, worried it is under threat presently.

Addressing the 2nd ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar held in Winneba in the Central Region on Friday, September 29, 2023, Akufo-Addo admitted that the sub-region is being confronted with a myriad of governance challenges.

"We cannot run away from the fact that West Africa is confronted with a difficult economic, political, social and security situation," he said.

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Nana Akufo-Addo told the ECOWAS MPs that despite the progress made by member states in the areas of democracy, good governance and the rule of law since the early 1990s, the sub-region is currently witnessing a decline in our democratic credentials.

"The observation is bitter and implacable," he said posted on Facebook.

Akufo-Addo said it is unfortunate that currently four ECOWAS countries are led by military governments.

"This sad and unfortunate development has created a state of palpable anxiety and tension in every corner of the region, raising the spectre of regional instability, which we thought had been banished forever," he added.

He said democracy in West Africa is in danger, and urged the parliamentarians and other stakeholders to entrench the principles of democratic accountability in citizens.

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He appealed to members of the ECOWAS Parliament to speak against the extension of presidential term limits by some leaders to strengthen their grip on power.

"These actions tend to result in discontent amongst the populace, which create fertile grounds on which military interventions disingenuously feed," he said.

Ghanaians in the UK confront High Commissioner

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh has reported in a separate story that angry Ghanaian protestors accosted Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK Paapa Owusu Ankomah.

The #OccupyjulorbiHouse protestors were angry that Paapa Owusu Ankomah did not address them when they came to picket.

New Patriotic Party supporters subsequently disrupted the #OccupyjulorbiHouse protest at the Ghana High Commission in the UK.

Ghanaians travelling to South Africa can now apply online

In other news, the South African government has allowed Ghanaians to apply for visas online.

South African High Commission said Ghanaians could visit the portal of the Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa.

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The High Commission said standard requirements such as a letter of invitation are still in force.

Ghanaian girl Elianne Andam stabbed to death in the UK

In a separate story, a 15-year-old Ghanaian girl named Elianne Andam was stabbed in Croydon, South London.

The girl's family said it was heartbroken following the incident but was going to take solace in their Christian faith.

The killing of the girl has shocked the UK and drawn condemnation from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Source: YEN.com.gh