First national mock parliament calls for implementation of policies

As Ghana moves to celebrate its 50 years of independence, a representative of the youth has appealed to the nation's leaders to move from mere drafting of policy documents to their implementation. At the first National Mock Parliament held in Accra on Monday, the youth representing 250 constituencies, stated that, "our parliament will not rest at ensuring that the wishes of our young ones are respected and considered in policy formulation." Members of the Mock Parliament were drawn from the University of Ghana, Legon; University of Cape Coast; Accra Polytechnic and some selected second cycle institutions. Former Speaker of the Parliament of the University of Ghana, Mr Mohammed Nasir Alfa, who acted as Speaker, said the sad story of the youth's influence in policy formulation, was about to end by the establishment of the Youth Parliament. "Through this Parliament, the Youth shall embark on a hasty return to the tested truths of the founding fathers", Mr Alfa said. He paid tribute to the founders of the nation and noted the role of the youth in the struggle for independence. In a statement, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Mock Legislature from the University of Cape Coast, paid tribute to Thomas Hughes; Hutton Brew and S. C. Grant, noting their contributions in the formation of the Fante Confederation; Aborigines Right Protection Society and the struggle for independence. He also recalled the uprising of Nii Kwabena Bonney, Chief of Osu Alata, and the sacrifice of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, all Ex-Servicemen, killed on February 28. 1948. Mr Akandoh extolled the role of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, First President of Ghana; Former President Jerry John Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor who is also the Chairman of the African Union and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, in the development of post-independent Ghana. Mr Akandoh also paid tribute to Lawyers, Teachers, Doctors, Farmers, Fishermen, Bankers, Market Women and every Ghanaian, who had contributed to the nation's progress. He, however, called on the citizenry to double their efforts to catch up with her peers, adding; "the educational system must be able to absorb all of Ghana's youth at least to the college level. "Our economy must be made stronger and we must bring to a halt the brain drain of professionals and learn to be patriotic", Mr Akandon said. Ministers in the mock House took turns to answer questions on the protection of the girls against sexual abuse and domestic violence. The Mock Parliament adopted a motion: "Ghana has not failed the Youth after 50 years of independence." Among the observers of the Mock Parliament, held in Parliament House, were Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, the Speaker of Parliament; Mr Alhassan Malik Yakubu, Second Deputy Speaker; Mr Alban Bagbin, The Minority Leader; Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, MP for Ada and Mr Jimmy Aggrey-Orleans, Former Ghana's High Commissioner in London.GNABDB