The Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has underscored the need for Ghana to champion democratic governance in the Sahel region.
The Damongo MP emphasized that Ghana, as a country built on democratic principles, must uphold and promote these values in its engagements with neighboring countries, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Mr. Jinapor made this statement in Parliament on Friday, March 28, 2025, while seconding the motion for the approval of the budget estimate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
He referenced Article 40 of Ghana’s Constitution, on the Directive Principles of State Policy, which mandates the government to promote democratic governance in its dealings with other nations.
He pointed out that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are currently under military rule and stressed that Ghana must remain steadfast in advocating democracy in these countries.
He noted that while it is important to pursue regional integration, it must not come at the expense of Ghana’s fundamental democratic principles.
“While we urge the Foreign Ministry to pursue the objective of regional integration, it is vital that we do not overlook the principles of democratic governance.
“We must work towards restoring democracy in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all of West Africa and Africa at large is governed based on democratic practices,” he stated.
Mr. Jinapor further stressed that democracy is the foundation on which governments should be built, just as it is in Ghana.
He called on the government to take a leadership role in efforts to restore constitutional rule in the Sahel, ensuring that the will of the people is respected in governance structures across the region.
He expressed his full support for the motion before the House and urged Parliament to adopt the report supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“With these few words, I lend my support to the motion and ask that this House adopts this report, supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that ultimately, Ghana’s flag will fly high in the community of nations,” he concluded.
His remarks reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to democratic values and serve as a call to action for the government to ensure that democratic governance remains central in its foreign policy engagements with the Sahel region.
