The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin has called on Speakers of Parliaments from Atlantic African countries to collaborate on policymaking and incorporate shared strategies into their respective national legal frameworks.
According to Speaker Bagbin, such frameworks are crucial for achieving the strategic priorities of the Atlantic Africa States Process (AASP), which aims to collectively tackle transnational challenges, including terrorism, organized crime, maritime piracy, illegal migration, climate change, and health pandemics.
Speaking at the meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of Atlantic African Countries, he emphasized that the AASP Forum should serve as a platform for joint policy formulation and implementation.
He underscored the need for a coordinated response to transnational issues and the development of cohesive strategies that benefit the entire region.
Under the theme “Promoting a Parliamentary Network for a Stable, Integrated, and Prosperous Atlantic Africa,” Speaker Bagbin stressed the significance of the Rabat Declaration I of June 2022.
This declaration reaffirms the commitment of Atlantic African countries to strengthening cooperation, fostering regional integration, and promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
He averred that developing coordinated strategies and policies for regional peace, security, and economic prosperity is a key goal for Atlantic Africa and urged the Parliamentary Forum to advocate policies that encourage constructive engagement in preventing and peacefully resolving regional conflicts.
Speaker Bagbin also called for fostering regional economic growth, tourism, job creation, and poverty reduction through trade facilitation, investment promotion, and infrastructure development.
Recognizing Atlantic Africa’s rich cultural diversity as one of its greatest assets, the Speaker proposed promoting social and cultural exchange programs that celebrate the region’s heritage.
These initiatives, he noted, would strengthen unity and shared identity among nations and their peoples.
He expressed hope that political differences and competing national interests would not hinder the effectiveness of the Forum and called for a collaborative and inclusive approach based on consensus, mutual respect, and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of regular dialogue and mediation in resolving differences and building trust.
Mr. Alban Bagbin acknowledged the region’s economic potential and stressed that a robust parliamentary network is critical for realizing the AASP’s vision of a stable, integrated, and prosperous Atlantic Africa.
Such a network, he asserted, would foster collaboration, dialogue, and shared goals, serving as the foundation for sustainable development, political stability, and regional progress.
“Parliaments serve as the bedrock of democratic governance, where policies are debated, laws are enacted, and oversight is exercised over national programs. Consequently, this parliamentary network presents an excellent opportunity for us and our Parliaments to contribute to the realization of AASP’s goals through open dialogue, exchange of ideas, formulation of policy options, and incorporation of AASP resolutions into our national laws,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin emphasized the network’s potential to significantly contribute to His Majesty King Mohamed VI’s vision of transforming the African Atlantic zone into a hub of human communication, economic integration, and enhanced continental and international visibility.