Bagbin Speaks at George Washington University-Calls for Ethical Standards in Global Geopolitics
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Right Honorable Alban Sumana Bagbin has called for progressive development of ethical standards in global geopolitics. The Rt.Hon. Speaker made the call when he delivered a keynote address at the second annual conference of the Global Council for Political Renewal. This took place at the Elliot School of International Affairs of George Washington University, USA between 15th and 16th March 2024.
In a compelling address on “ethics in politics,” the Rt Hon. Bagbin challenged global leaders to prioritize the development of ethical standards in public conduct and the body politics of nations. He said “in recent times, corruption, rigging, vote buying, misappropriation of public funds, use of intemperate language and others have become a common feature in the politics of many countries. This has necessitated a demand for ethical standards across the globe to guide the conduct of officials and political actors.”
The respected Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament further underscored the critical role of ethics in sustaining democracy, trust in public leadership, and dignity for humankind. He said “ethics in politics is the foundation of democracy. It is not merely a choice; it is an imperative with profound significance in shaping the political landscape. Ethics, the principles of right and wrong which govern human behavior, consists of moral principles, values, and standards of conduct, embodies integrity, fairness, and accountability, which are essential for the functioning of democracy.”
He added that political actions, and perhaps, inactions have far-reaching implications for current and future generations and ought to be guided by the highest level of ethical considerations.
Sharing some useful efforts of the Republic of Ghana at ethical standards in public service, the globally renowned legislator cited the Code of Ethics of the Parliament of Ghana which he described as “a comprehensive Code of Ethics to promote transparency, accountability and decorum in the conduct of MPs and officials of Parliament.” He also cited the Ethics Committee of Parliament created under his leadership, the efforts of the Ghana Peace Council and the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, all of which often use ethical approaches to building consensus on national issues.
The Rt. Hon. Bagbin concluded his address by re-echoing the call for deliberate efforts at entrenching ethical standards to enhance the trust that will help build healthier democracies that will yield appropriate dividends for all.