The opposition People’s National Convention (PNC) has extended their calls to Ghanaian judges and lawyers to emulate from the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s wardrobe change and also come up with a traditional made in Ghana uniform different from their current one.
The party congratulating Mr Bagbin’s decision to ditch the colonial Speaker’s cloak for a traditional African wear also encouraged members of parliament and all institutions of state to emulate “this fine showing of our culture”.
Below is the full PNC statement:
GREAT MOVE SPEAKER,
The PNC commends the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament for that show of our rich culture. The Speaker was looking too handsome in his regalia and that is a clear representation of the Ghanaian culture other than the usual gown. He is certainly adding to the numerous call, especially by the first gentleman of the land- President Nana Akuffo Addo, that public sector workers can be in African prints.
Also President Kuffour in 2006 directed all public institutions to wear local textiles on Fridays to help boost the local industries who are into textiles production. It will also help us as a country to appreciate and patronise our own products and to live as Africans.
Not only should members of parliament emulate this fine showing of our culture but this should be emulated by all institutions of state. We only need to add a cultural touch to what we inherited from the Europeans. Our courts could adopt a dress code that will still ensure discipline and at the same time showcase our rich tradition.
On the 7th of January 2021, our Supreme court judges wore torn and faded uniform to the inauguration ceremony of President Nana Akufo-Addo and the PNC wondered whether it was due to lack of funds to purchase materials to sew new uniform or they were popping up with the status quo of our colonial masters.
Prof. Kofi Awoonor mocked educated Ghanaians in his poem ‘We have found a new land’. It was about Africans imitating the dressing of their colonial masters and abandoning their own. The judges and lawyers can also come up with a uniform different from their current one that should have a local touch, and that will be admirable.
The PNC is of the believe that our economic condition and our ways of life would be improved the moment we decide to patronise our own products and live as Ghanaians and as Africans.
Aside this monumental strides by the speaker, the Party wishes to indulge him to put his feet on the ground by remaining objective and neutral to ensure a healthy debate in the house. His ability to manage the house in the wake of E-levy shall be a test of his ability to remain a good a Speaker who will lead the house to strengthen our democratic credentials.
PNC: Service with honesty
-signed-
Janet Asana Nabla
General Secretary
