Janet Samuel, Abuja
A member of Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOWAS) Parliament, Haruna Mshelia has urged members to focused on the challenges and opportunities facing democracy and regional integration in West Africa.
Hon. Mshelia made the call during the discussion on matters of Community importance at the Second Ordinary Session of the parliament that is gradually winding up in Abuja.
While explaining that there’s crucial link between education and the quality of democracy in a region grappling with low literacy rates, the member of Parliament said countries with well-integrated communities and higher levels of education tend to have more robust democracies, urged for continued investment in education to empower citizens and combat the manipulation of democratic processes by a few
Hon. Mshelia who acknowledged the frustrations with the slow pace of democratic development, cautioned against impatience, emphasizing that democracy is a process.
He expressed concern about the current rules governing meetings in the ECOWAS Parliament, which he believes are inadequate for maintaining order and respect, advocated for stricter enforcement of existing rules and the introduction of new measures to ensure decorum during discussions.
The member of Parliament called for a stronger sense of regional community among ECOWAS members, urging his fellow parliamentarians to embrace the challenges and opportunities facing the region by investing in education, democratic development and regional integration among others.
