By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Aug. 4, GNA – Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Second Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), has called for stronger partnerships to advance the institution’s mandate and accelerate the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
She said African institutions needed to embrace strategic, results-oriented collaboration to build a more integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent capable of addressing shared development challenges.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the call while opening the second day of the 26th Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments in Midrand, South Africa.
She said Africa’s development aspirations could only be achieved through stronger parliamentary diplomacy, legislative harmonisation and coordinated action among continental and regional institutions.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged African institutions to move beyond working in isolation and focus on partnerships that delivered measurable outcomes for citizens.
She identified peace and security, economic integration, climate resilience, democratic governance and gender equality as key areas requiring collective parliamentary action.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also called on African Union Member States to expedite the ratification of the Malabo Protocol, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the legislative authority of the Pan-African Parliament.
She said empowering the continental Parliament to operate fully within the African Union governance structure would enhance regional integration and improve policy coordination
across Africa.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that stronger parliamentary institutions would promote accountability, improve governance and support the effective implementation of continental development initiatives.
The conference also featured contributions from regional parliamentary bodies, including the ECOWAS Parliament, which reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Pan-African Parliament.
Participants stressed the need for closer collaboration among continental and regional parliamentary institutions to translate Africa’s shared aspirations into tangible benefits for citizens.
They noted that effective partnerships would strengthen legislative oversight, promote policy coherence and support the implementation of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063.
Speakers further emphasised that sustained dialogue and cooperation among African legislatures would reinforce democratic governance, regional stability and inclusive development.
The Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments forms part of efforts by the Pan-African Parliament to deepen parliamentary cooperation and advance the African Union’s vision of “The Africa We Want.”
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
[email protected]