Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has made a passionate call for deeper parliamentary cooperation to promote peace, security, and economic growth in Atlantic Africa.
Speaking at a high-level meeting of Speakers of Parliaments from Atlantic African countries in Rabat, Morocco, he urged his fellow leaders to use their legislative influence to drive real change across the region.
“We have a duty to build a stable, integrated, and prosperous Atlantic Africa,” he said. “Through collaboration, good governance, and strong laws, we can tackle issues like terrorism, organized crime, illegal migration, and economic challenges.”
Rt. Hon. Bagbin highlighted the vision of Morocco’s King Mohamed VI, who spearheaded the Atlantic African States Process (AASP) to strengthen regional ties. He expressed Ghana’s strong support for the initiative and assured his colleagues that parliaments have a critical role to play in shaping policies that translate this vision into reality.
He also commended Morocco’s long-standing support for Ghana and the region, while acknowledging its contributions to democracy and development. “Ghana remains grateful for your support in ensuring a peaceful and seamless transition of government after our December 2024 elections,” he added.
As President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), Speaker Bagbin pledged to mobilize African parliamentary leaders to actively engage with AASP. He welcomed Morocco’s offer to host the next CoSPAL General Assembly which reinforces the country’s commitment to regional unity.
To make the parliamentary network effective, he proposed three key steps:
- Developing a governing charter to define the vision and responsibilities of the forum.
- Creating an operational framework to guide communication, meetings, and decision-making.
- Engaging key stakeholders such as governments, civil society, and the private sector to build broad-based support.
Speaker Bagbin called for unity and commitment from all member states. “We must put aside political differences and work together for the greater good. A united Atlantic Africa can be a beacon of peace, stability, and shared prosperity for generations to come.”
His message was warmly received, with participants acknowledging the importance of parliamentary action in shaping the region’s future.
