THE Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has emphasised the importance of nurturing hope, securing peace, and ensuring justice as key pillars for sustainable development.
Delivering Ghana’s statement at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul on Thursday, Mr Bagbin described hope as a reflection of confidence in systems that promote inclusive growth, protect livelihoods, and create opportunities, particularly for young people.
He noted that lasting peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and must be anchored in justice, equity, and resilient institutions.
Mr Bagbin highlighted the critical role of parliaments in advancing these ideals, citing Ghana’s experience in parliamentary oversight of environmental policies and social protection programmes.
He, however, acknowledged that despite Ghana’s democratic stability, the country continues to face challenges such as economic inequality, youth unemployment, weak institutional capacity, environmental degradation, and security threats, as well as emerging risks linked to misinformation, cybersecurity, and unequal access to digital technologies.
Mr Bagbin further stressed that Parliament remains central to translating national aspirations into laws, policies, and accountability mechanisms through its legislative, oversight, and representative functions.
He pointed to government interventions in education, youth empowerment, and social protection, alongside ongoing judicial reforms aimed at improving access to justice.
Additionally, Mr Bagbin called for stronger collaboration and political will, noting that building a peaceful, just, and hopeful society requires deliberate and sustained efforts to safeguard the future of coming generations.
Mr Bagbin was unanimously elected Chairman of the 52-member Africa Geopolitical Group of the IPU in October last year, with the mandate of coordinating and harmonising the continent’s collective positions on major IPU decisions and policies.
He also serves as the principal representative of African parliamentary interests and champions key priorities, including governance, security, peace, and sustainable development.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON TETTEY
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