The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been re-elected for a second term as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL).
Mr. Bagbin was re-elected during the Second General Assembly of CoSPAL in Accra.
Other officers who were also elected include Mr. Ibidapo Olufemi Oyewole as CoSPAL Secretary-General, Madam Anita Annet, the Speaker of Uganda Parliament as Vice Chairperson, and four Regional CoSPAL Vice Chairmen.
The election of Speaker Bagbin, who is Ghana’s longest-serving legislator is a testament to his strong leadership skills.
In his opening remarks, the Speaker urged African legislatures to take an active role in advancing the continent’s development agenda.
“As representatives of our people, we cannot sit on the fringes. Legislatures must be at the heart of initiatives aimed at solving Africa’s challenges to meet the needs and aspirations of the people we represent,” he stated.
Commenting on the role of CoSPAL, Mr. Bagbin noted that CoSPAL is the first permanent platform that seeks to mobilize and unite Speakers and Presidents of legislatures across the continent to support the agenda for Africa’s growth and sustainable development.
Explaining further, he was of the view that CoSPAL was not formed to rival or compete with any existing organisations to detract from their relevance or duplicate their objectives and activities.
“On the contrary, CoSPAL was formed to support and complement their work from the unique perspective of African Speakers and Presidents of National Assemblies” he added.
According to him, one of CoSPAL’s core objectives is to expand the frontiers of Parliamentary diplomacy by working in close collaboration with other regional and international inter – parliamentary organisations, civil society groups, other key stakeholders and most importantly in alignment and close cooperation with the African Union.
Another significant event, that took place at the Accra Conference was the adoption of a new CoSPAL Constitution by the delegates.
The Accra Conference, which was chaired by Speaker Bagbin brought together about 120 participants including 15 Speakers and Presidents of National Legislatures, 30 Deputy Speakers and Presidents, Clerks /Secretary Generals, and supporting staff of Parliaments and Assemble Nationals across Africa.
The former Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye; former Majority Leader, Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu; and the Deputy Majority Leader, Ms. Patricia Appiagyei; and the First Deputy Minority Whip, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed were at the conference.
CoSPAL was established in 2020 as a platform to facilitate increased deliberation, collaboration, and cooperation between Speakers and Presidents of Parliaments and National Assemblies across Africa to address common challenges, devise joint strategies, and mobilise collective action to advance Africa’s development.
The first General Assembly was held in May 2022, in Abuja, under the leadership of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, where the foundation was laid for the convergence of heads of African legislatures on critical issues relating to post-COVID economic recovery and democratic development.
