Bagbin Now President Of Conference Of Speakers

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, RT Hon Alban Sumana Bagbin has earned an appointment as the President of the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP).

He officially took over from Nigeria’s Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila during a ceremony on Saturday, May 26, 2023, in Abuja.

In his remarks, Speaker Bagbin underscored the need to take decisive action to end the unconstitutional overthrow of governments in Africa; ensure more effective parliamentary oversight to curb Africa’s rising debt; the mitigation of member countries’ vulnerability to external shocks; safeguard and strengthen the role and powers of legislatures across the continent; and the need for Africa to build capacity to feed itself by tackling food insecurity as a priority.

He also called for a focus on inclusive budgeting and policy planning that address the needs of women, youth, and people living with disabilities, and ensure that they are provided with the same opportunities as all other citizens.

He stressed the urgent need for creating and sustaining enabling legislative environment for public-private partnerships, and enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of African inter-parliamentary institutions.

The Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP) is a platform initiated to facilitate increased deliberation, collaboration and cooperation between Speakers, Heads of Parliaments and National Assemblies across Africa to address common challenges, devise joint solutions and mobilize collective action to advance Africans development.

It was launched in October 2020.