Ghana’s Minority Leader and 3rd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has issued a powerful appeal for stronger parliamentary diplomacy and cross-regional cooperation among Global South nations.
Addressing key leaders at the Third Edition of the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Morocco, he stressed that collaborative legislative action is critical to tackling shared challenges in security, development, and economic stability.
Speaking before parliamentary representatives from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Arab world, Afenyo-Markin declared that solidarity among Southern parliaments is no longer a choice but an urgent imperative in today’s uncertain global landscape. He called for deeper dialogue and joint strategies to foster resilience and progress across these regions.
As both a prominent Ghanaian legislator and a regional leader, Afenyo-Markin’s address reinforced the need for unified efforts to drive sustainable solutions for the Global South.
The Forum was held under the theme: “Interregional and Intercontinental Dialogues in the Global South: A Vital Lever to Address New Challenges of International Cooperation and Achieve Peace, Security, Stability, and Shared Development.”
He said, “Trust is built when we speak the language of our people, reconcile perceptions with facts, and commit to inclusive dialogue. Dialogue is not just a diplomatic tool; it is the foundation for sustainable peace and shared prosperity.”
Among the key points from the Minority leader’s address is a call for structured interregional dialogue as a means to confront trade protectionism, inflation, youth unemployment, terrorism, and migration — issues that disproportionately impact the Global South.
He also cautioned that failure to institutionalize cooperation could result in heightened economic instability, especially with shrinking global supply chains and rising tariffs.
Afenyo-Markin recommended strengthening South-South legislative bodies like ASSECAA to serve as platforms for resolving misconceptions, promoting solidarity, and translating citizen needs into policy and praised King Mohammed VI for championing regional integration and making interregional collaboration a pillar of Morocco’s foreign policy.
The event brought together a host of dignitaries including Mr. Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the Moroccan House of Councillors; Mr. Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Mr. Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The forum, organized in collaboration with the Association of Senates, Shura, and Equivalent Councils of Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA), was held from April 28 to 29, 2025.
The ECOWAS Parliament’s participation stressed the commitment to shaping global discourse on development, peace, and security from a West African perspective — and ensuring that Global South voices are not only heard but also help define the global policy agenda.
