After thirty years of successful uninterrupted Parliamentary Democracy, Parliament holds a Public Forum at the Multi-Purpose Auditorium of the University for Development Studies to celebrate “The Journey Thus Far”, as part of the series of activities that are meant to commemorate the milestone achieved by the parliament and Ghana. As courtesy requires, the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford S. Bagbin, visited the Office of the Vice Chancellor with a delegation from Parliament, while on this assignment, as the Guest Speaker of the Public Forum, which aims at “Bringing Parliament Closer to The People”. Tamale is one of the four regional zones that have been selected for the celebrations, which is scheduled for the entire year.

The Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Al-hassan Seidu received the delegation in his office at the Central Administration of the University. In his address, the Vice Chancellor showed his elation at the presence of the Speaker of Parliament and their decision to hold such a memorable event in the University, and how the university shares the same age with the Parliament, as it is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year as well.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Seidu Al-hassan

Professor Seidu stated the significance of the Parliament to the country in ensuring effective democratic governance and justice, and how much the patriotic citizens of this country hold it in high regard. He opined that, many institutions and communities have, through inspiration from the Parliament, created similar parliamentary sittings. He cited the Northern Youth Parliament (NYP) amongst the rising Parliamentary houses at the local levels.

Prof. Seidu added that the University was established by the Government of Ghana under the PNDC Law 279 with the view of accelerating the development of the then three Regions in the North. However, most of the components of the Law under which the University was established, do no longer serve any significance to the University, hence the need to review this Law. He further intimated that, the autonomy of the previous sub-campuses of the University is also reason enough for the proposed revision. In this respect, he presented a bill on behalf of the University to the Hon. Speaker and called on him to consider the revision of the Laws governing the University to ensure its progressive development.

Vice Chancellor Presenting Bill to Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament

The Vice Chancellor also requested the Speaker and the entirety of Parliament to look into the issue of monetizing elections by various political aspirants and the country at large. He said the rate at which elections are being monetized in the country is not only alarming but demeaning to the country’s political image.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford S. Bagbin, opined that one of the reasons the University was chosen as a venue for the celebration of the Parliament’s thirtieth anniversary was because it shared a common age. He added that he was part of the struggles to establish the University in his early years as a Member of Parliament, hence, any attempt to ensure that the success and development of the university will be considered with effectiveness. For that reason, he advised the Vice Chancellor and representatives of the University to submit the necessary documents for the revision to parliament for further deliberation.

Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Kingsford S. Bagbin

On the issue of monetizing politics, the Hon. Speaker stated that, civil society organizations, government agencies as well as the media have been involved in the efforts to curb the situation. He noted that politics in the country is becoming “auctions and not elections”, and leaders who are supposed to serve the people have to buy their way through, which should not be the case. He asserted that the conversation will continue until we decide to take a stand and do what is right.

Amongst the representatives of the University were the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Felix K. Abagale, the Registrar, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, the Principal of the Nyankpala Campus, Professor George Nyarko among others.

Story by; Salma Abdul-Rashid (University Relations)