By Iddi Yire
Accra, Oct 27, GNA – President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Speakers and Presidents of African Parliaments to commit the ideals of democracy, to the spirit of Pan-Africanism, and to the progress of the continent.
“The work we do here today will shape the future of Africa – let us do so with vision, with courage, and with unwavering resolve.”
President Akufo-Addo said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mrs Patricia Appiagyei, the Deputy Leader of the New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Caucus at the official opening of the Second General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) in Accra.
“Together, let us make this assembly not just a meeting, but a milestone in Africa’s journey toward peace, prosperity, and unity.”
CoSPAL is the first permanent platform that seeks to mobilise and unite Speakers and Presidents of legislatures across the continent to support the agenda for Africa’s growth and sustainable development.
One of the core tasks of the two-day meeting in Accra is to consider and adopt the draft constitution of CoSPAL submitted by the Interim Technical Working Group (ITWG), which was assigned that responsibility at the First General Assembly held in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2022.
The President acknowledging those whose vision and efforts had brought CoSPAL to life mentioned names like Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President; Professor Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament.
The rest were Mr Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives of Ethiopia, Madam Donatille Mukabalisa of Rwanda, Mr Moustapha Niasse of Senegal, Mr Justin Muturi of Kenya, and Madam Thando Modise of South Africa.
President Akkufo-Addo said their work and commitment had laid the foundation for this noble endeavour.
He noted that the vision behind CoSPAL aligns with the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism.
He said under the leadership of the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, he was confident that CoSPAL’s relevance and impact would only deepen, ushering in a new era of legislative cooperation that would benefit all Africans.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the Second General Assembly meeting of CoSPAL, which was being held in the heart of Accra, a city steeped in history as the birthplace of African independence and a beacon of democracy, was an important opportunity to reflect on Africa’s progress and chart the path forward.
Declaring that “It is in such gatherings that the seeds of Pan-African unity and cooperation are sown.”
“By bringing our minds and wills together, we celebrate Africa’s legislative and democratic progress, yet we also recognize the work that lies ahead in securing a future of enduring stability and prosperity for all Africans.”
The President said democracy was not merely a political system; saying “it is the lifeblood of our continent’s future. It is a process of participation, inclusion, and mutual respect among our people.”
He said as they strengthen their institutions and work to ensure transparency and accountability, they cement the foundations upon which Africa’s future would be built.
“In Ghana, we are proud of our strides toward deepening democracy and upholding the sacred trust placed in us by our citizens. Our achievements are not isolated; they are part of a broader African story of resilience, innovation, and progress,” he stated.
“This year, Ghana stands at a critical juncture as we approach our upcoming elections. In this election year. I want to reaffirm my government’s absolute commitment to ensuring that these elections are conducted peacefully, transparently, and with the utmost respect for the democratic rights of every Ghanaian.”
He said Ghana had long stood as a beacon of democracy on the African continent, and it was their collective duty to maintain this legacy for generations to come.
“Our strength as a democracy lies in our unity, and our shared values, and I call upon all Ghanaians, regardless of background or political affiliation, to join us in this commitment to peace,” he said.
Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin urged his fellow Speakers and Presidents of African Parliaments to step up efforts to combat poverty on the African continent.
Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, called on African leaders to take advantage of the continent’s abundant rich natural resources to develop it.
Mr Vital Kamerhe, President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Member of the Board of the Association Parliamentarian de la Francophonie asked Africa to let the gun go silent so that they could develop their continent.
GNA