Africa’s Parliamentary Legal Counsel commit to ethics, integrity and accountability

The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahuma Djietror, on behalf of the Speaker, has officially opened the 8th African Colloquium of Legal Counsel to Parliaments, held in Accra under the theme “Ethics, Integrity and Accountability”.

The Clerk called on delegates to develop a common Pan-African ethical framework that respects each country’s constitutional traditions while strengthening legislative quality, transparency and public trust.

The Deputy Clerk (LMS) and the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Camillo Pwamang, expressed confidence that the colloquium would strengthen professional capacity and unity among Africa’s parliamentary legal counsel.

Majority Leader, James Agalga, called for revised election rules, stronger constitutional mechanisms, and credible peer-review systems, emphasising integrity, independent legal advice, and commitment to the aspirations of the African people.

The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin stressed that independent parliamentary legal offices are essential to constitutional governance, democratic fairness and impartial legal advice.

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, urged delegates to strengthen professional standards and mentorship, and develop safeguards for artificial intelligence in legislative work, emphasising that human oversight and accountability must remain paramount.

This gathering brought together legal minds, parliamentary counsel, and experts from across the continent to share experiences, exchange best practices, and strengthen institutional frameworks.