President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki arrived in Ghana on Sunday to deliver the keynote address at a symposium commemorating Ghana’s uninterrupted Parliamentary Democracy. The symposium is under the theme “25 Years of Continuous Parliamentary Democracy in Ghana- Challenges and Prospects”. He was met on arrival at the Airport by Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, Clerk to Parliament, Emmanuel Anyimadu, Deputy Clerk, Apodola, second Deputy Whips of Majority and Minority caucuses, Moses Anim and Comfort Doyoe Ghansah respectively. Prof. Oquaye remarked that Ghana never wished Nigeria to ‘catch cold else Ghanaians get cough’ to emphasise the longstanding cultural relationship between the two countries. The invitation and the acceptance of the Nigerian Senate President to deliver the keynote address, he said, is a further demonstration of the friendship between the two Nations. The Nigerian Senate President who in the country with a strong delegation from the Senate said he is delighted to be in Ghana and noted that both countries have witnessed several positives as well as negatives together. His presence in Ghana, he stated, is to help foster closer relations between the two Parliaments and to solidarise with Ghana for her 25 years of parliamentary democracy. Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki hoped for stronger ties and collaboration between the two Nations. The symposium dubbed “Speaker’s Symposium” will set in motion activities marking a year-long anniversary commemorating Ghana’s 25 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy. Institutional representatives from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and the Coalition on Civil Society will also address the gathering on the topic “The Forth Republican Parliament in Retrospect “. President Nana Addo-Dankwa-Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former Presidents of the Republic are expected to grace the occasion. Other dignitaries invited to the 25th anniversary Speaker’s Symposium are former Speakers of Ghana’s Parliament, the Chief Justice and Members of the Bench, Chairman and members of the Council of State, members of the diplomatic corps, ministers of state, former Members of Parliament, traditional rulers, the clergy, political party functionaries and several others. Other activities marking the 25th anniversary include a luncheon with former Members of Parliament and leadership of Parliament, Mock Parliament demonstrations by Students Parliament in the country, quiz competitions among the students parliaments, fitness walk, public forum and interdenominational thanksgiving services. By Evelyn Tengmaa |TV3|3news.com]]>
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