We Can Strengthen the Legacy of Pan-Africanism by Acknowledging Issues Affecting Us - Speaker Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, has emphasized the pressing need for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to strategically reposition itself in response to the mounting challenges of citizen unrest across Africa.

He highlights the profound evolution of parliamentary democracy and underscores the pivotal need for global parliamentary democracies to ardently embrace transformative change and innovative measures to effectively harness the total dividends of democracy.
According to Speaker Bagbin, democracy must serve the purpose of adding value to the lives of the citizenry.
“The true essence of democracy lies in enhancing the living conditions of the public, and this clarion call for active, impactful change reinforces the urgency of addressing the evolving needs of the continent.

“Accordingly, it is imperative to establish and cultivate cooperation and alliance between the Pan-African Parliament and other African parliaments, of which Ghana is a member. This collaboration aims to contribute to the perpetual development and preservation of parliamentary democracy.”
Speaker Bagbin made these remarks during an official visit by the delegation of the Pan-African Parliament, led by its President, H.E. Fortune Z. Charumbira, on July 23, 2024, in Accra, Ghana.
Both speakers engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding potential partnerships with Ghana’s Parliament, focusing on various parliamentary mechanisms that will facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices.
In alignment with the predetermined agenda, which accentuated the timely necessity to address economic impediments affecting the effective functioning of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Charumbira underscored the crucial importance of advocating for the mandate of the Pan-African Parliament.
Furthermore, he thoroughly examined concerns surrounding its pertinence and strategic positioning within Africa’s governance architecture, particularly in light of the establishment of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), which closely mirrors the mandate of the Pan-African Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin congratulated H.E. Charumbira for his commitment and dedication to advancing the cause of Pan-Africanism through the Legislature as the new President of PAP.
As President of the Group of Heads of African Parliaments, he expressed assurance that he would vigorously unite his colleagues to provide steadfast support for PAP’s enduring success and the realization of its overarching objectives.