Dr. Zenator Rawlings highlighted Parliament’s essential role in enhancing Ghana’s national security and promoting democratic legitimacy and public trust during a workshop focused on Parliamentary Oversight of Security and Intelligence.
The workshop, organised by the National Security Council Secretariat, brought together lawmakers, security experts and policy stakeholders to examine how effective parliamentary scrutiny can enhance accountability in the security and intelligence sector without undermining operational effectiveness.
Addressing participants, Dr. Zenator Rawlings highlighted the delicate balance between national security imperatives and democratic governance, stressing that strong oversight frameworks are essential to safeguarding citizens’ rights while ensuring the lawful and efficient functioning of intelligence agencies.
She outlined key principles that must guide the development and implementation of security and intelligence laws in Ghana. According to her, any such legal framework must stand the test of time, align with international best practices, and be fair and impartial, regardless of whether one is in government or in opposition.
Dr. Zenator Rawlings further emphasised that the law must protect the rights of citizens and include robust safeguards to prevent the abuse of power by individuals entrusted with authority. In her view, institutions should be designed in a way that makes it difficult for personal interests or personalities to undermine democratic accountability.
At the same time, she cautioned against oversight mechanisms that could inadvertently weaken national security. She noted that the framework must clearly define and protect the lawful and effective role of intelligence agencies as an integral part of Ghana’s national security system, ensuring that accountability does not come at the expense of operational effectiveness.
The workshop underscored a growing consensus among stakeholders that credible parliamentary oversight is not a threat to national security but rather a cornerstone of it,one that builds public confidence, reinforces the rule of law, and strengthens democratic governance.
Dr. Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings’ contribution was widely acknowledged as a timely and thoughtful intervention, reinforcing the need for balanced, forward-looking reforms that secure both the nation and the rights of its people.
News Source : Dr. Zenator Agyeman – Rawlings
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