Monday, November 23, 2009

UN delegation meets Parliament

The United Nations (UN) has pledged to collaborate with the country’s 230-member legislature to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 stipulated date.

This was made known when a delegation from the UN and its agencies working in the country met with the leadership of Parliament to map out areas of future collaboration towards the achievement of the MDGs.

The meeting, which centred on possible ways of reinforcing national efforts to eradicate poverty, was also aimed at facing the new challenge of accelerating growth in an inclusive and equitable manner.

Mrs. Joyce Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament, receiving the delegation in Accra observed that the country over the years has attained success in the fields of health, education and infrastructural development, but a lot more still needs to be done to meet the requirements of the MDGs.

She said the passage of bills such as the National Health Insurance, Whistle-Blowers, Financial Accountability, and Disability were all positive measures towards the achievement of MDGs.

Mr. Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator of UN, noted that reflecting the country’s strong commitment to attain the MDGs, Parliament has been very instrumental in institutionalising legal and financial measures that promote the well-being of the citizenry.

Among some of these are included: The Capitation Grants, the School Feeding Programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the National Youth Employment Scheme and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme.

“With approximately five years to the target date of 2015, not only does Parliament need to continue its oversight roles to ensure that resource allocation of the country fully reflects basic needs as expressed in MDGs, but it also has the critical role of reaching out to all corners of the country to mobilise communities to identify development priorities and to realise fully inclusive and locally adapted economic development.

“Periodic meetings between the two houses will enhance the smooth implementation of development programmes that could move the country from its current position in terms of development.”

Mr. Alban Bagbin, the Majority Leader said: “we need to collaborate as Parliamentarians to effectively play the role of communicators between the communities and government.

“Lack of office accommodation for Members of Parliament and inadequate budgetary allocation are some of the major challenges that face the house.”

Among some of the agencies that attended the programme were: the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

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