Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.
Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.
“I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.
The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.
Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.
Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.
Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”
Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”
He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.
On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.
ANI
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