The Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has called for the need for Nigeria and neighbouring Ghana to establish stronger partnerships aimed at strengthening legislative and democratic practices in both countries.
Sulaiman made the call when he received a delegation of members of the Committee on Administration and Human Resources, Ghana Parliamentary Service Board in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Director-General of NILDS observed that Ghana has one of the most robust democratic structures in Africa, noting that Nigeria through his institute is willing to partner with the Parliament of Ghana especially in the areas of legislative drafting, training programs, internship opportunities,
staff development as well as undertakes survey and research on security challenges within the ECOWAS Sub-region.
Responding, the leader of the delegation of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said the mission to Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is to look for new ways to strengthen the level of partnership with the Nigerian parliament.
He said Ghana and Nigeria have come a long way and that his country certainly has a lot to draw from experiences in Nigeria as it embarks on major parliamentary reforms back home.
“Our intention is that of exchange of ideas and best practices between Nigeria and Ghana.
“We don’t need to belabour the good neighbourliness between both countries. We are considered twin brothers in the sub-region.
“We are about to embark on some reforms in our parliamentary service and we have heard about some good stories on Nigeria.
“We are also interested in the function of NILDS because back home in Ghana, we have a similar sister agency but it is not as robust as yours,” he said.
As part of its study tour to Nigeria, the delegation of the Parliament of Ghana will on Thursday meet with the Clerk to the National Assembly.