EXCLUSIVE from Addis at High-Level Conference on Data Revolution: Woes of a Pan-African Parliamentarian

Hon. Dr.Bernadette Lahai, Member of Pan-African Parliament/

On Day Two of the High-Level Conference on Data Revolution, I met a number of very interesting people. Some are experts in data; some are journalists. Many others are on a learning curve to understand, and assess how data can be capitalised on for the betterment of Africa's integration. I must say, though, that the two people that most-caught my attention were no other than representatives of the Pan-African-Parliament (PAP)--and they have very interesting stories to tell. It was quite clear from my interview with both of them that all is not well at the Midrand-based Pan-African Parliament. They spoke to me on the sidelines of the High-Level Conference.

by E.K.Bensah Jr, Addis, Ababa

Being a Pan-african Parliamentarian is not quite well cut out as it appears. I had the priviledge of interviewing Hon Dr.Bernadette Lahai (also MP in Sierra Leone Parliament) who bemoaned the poor visibility of the Pan-African Parliament(PAP)--even in Midrand, South Africa, where it is located. "Not even the South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC) gives publicity to our work", she said, neither do BBC or Al-Jazeera. In the light of this poor visibility, explained her colleague Jacob Odade, the PAP was focussing on communication as their strategic focus.

 Hon, Dr.Lahai explained how, despite possessing an African Union diplomatic passport, she was compelled to show her national passport as well when at the airport in South Africa. Additionally, at a time when the PAP has embarked on a Communication strategy that stresses visibility of PAPs, there is no visibility of a new protocol that would seek to make PAP a legislative tool, with binding decisions--as seen at the East African Legislative Assembly(EALA). This new protocol seeks to also make Members of the Pan-African Parliament permanent for 5(five) years so  they can dedicate more work to the continental legislature, and needs 28 member states before it comes into effect. To date, no country has yet to ratify it since it was tabled at the PAP in 2014.

This new protocol would also allow for the establishment of so-called "PAP desks" at the ministries of Foreign Affairs of Member States. This would not have to be new paid-for positions, avers the PAP, but could be positions added onto other staff of the Ministry. She was worried by the fact that each AU Member State sends five members to the PAP, but most often, many citizens are unable to explain what the PAPs are doing for the benefit of their nation.

Jacob Odade, of Pan-African Parliament

Another challenge for the PAP's work is accommodation. They are currently living in an office space on land that is even not permanent for the work members of the PAP do. Hon. Dr.Lahai proposed that the South African government could build hostels, which could be rented for the Parliamentarians. In addition, much like how the AU has established a Conference Centre Complex for hire, the government of South Africa could do same to ensure some revenue is accrued to the Parliament. Equally challenging for the Pan-African Parliamentarian is the analogue way in which they continue to work. At a time when the South African government has established e-government, 

Pressed on whether she would prefer the Pan-African Parliament re-locating to the home of the African Union here in Addis, she said that would not be a bad idea, as it would be easier for the legislature to have consultative meetings with the African Union Commission, and its Commissioners -- which it already does. 

 Hon. Dr.Lahai is Chairman of the Committee on Transport, Industry, Communication, Energy, Science & Technology(TICEST), which is aligned to the African Union's own structures


VIDEO CLIP (below): Listen to Hon. Dr.Bernadette Lahai, member of the Pan-African Parliament speak to the issue of WHY Data is important to Africa's integration. As an agriculturalist, she says the book that has just been launched --"The Emerging Data Revolution in Africa"-- will be referred to at the Pan-African Parliament for policy discussions.

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Listen to Hon. Dr.Bernadette Lahai, member of the Pan-African Parliament speak to the issue of WHY Data is important to Africa's integration. As an agriculturalist, she says the book that has just been launched --"The Emerging Data Revolution in Africa"-- will be referred to at the Pan-African Parliament for policy discussions.
Posted by Emmanuel K Bensah Jr on Saturday, March 28, 2015