Speaker Bagbin elected Chairperson of Africa Inter-Parliamentary Union

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The election, which took place on Sunday, October 19, during the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, places Ghana at the heart of continental parliamentary diplomacy and international cooperation.

“The prestigious role also reaffirms Rt. Hon. Bagbin's stature as a global parliamentary colossus with enormous respect and influence on international parliamentary affairs and diplomacy,” a statement issued by his Office on Monday, stated in part.

In his inaugural speech, the Speaker expressed profound appreciation to all African delegations for their participation and support during the conference, with special recognition to Nigeria for seconding his nomination and Senegal for withdrawing its candidate in the spirit of consensus.

Rt. Hon. Bagbin succeeds Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, who was commended for her exemplary leadership.

The Africa Geopolitical Group, formed in the early 1950s, serves as a continental bloc within the IPU, coordinating Africa’s collective stance on key global parliamentary issues and ensuring fair representation in international parliamentary affairs.

Meanwhile, aside from his latest position, Speaker Bagbin is the President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and the immediate past Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association [CPA] International.