Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has assured of Ghana’s commitment to collaborate with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to fight intolerance and promote peaceful co-existence in societies.
According to him, this is the only sure way for the world to know true peace and prosperity. In a speech at the 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, the Speaker touted the values of good democratic governance which the Ghanaian parliament is translating for the utmost benefit of its people.
Addressing participants at the conference, Speaker Bagbin said this is evident in the large gender parity delegation the Ghanaian parliament sent to the conference to further the course of the theme and humanity as a whole.
The 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is currently ongoing in Manama, Bahrain.
Over 1,700 parliamentarians from around the globe, including the Speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Alban Suman Kingsford Bagbin, were present on Saturday, March 11, 2023, as the Kingdom kick-started the proceedings of the IPU conference at the plush Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir.
This year’s conference, under the theme, “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance”, was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
On behalf of the King of Bahrain, His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, he inaugurated the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and related meetings being held for the first time in Bahrain and taking place from March 11, 2023, to March 15, 2023.
In his inaugural address, Shaikh Khalid reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to join efforts and improve global security, stability and peace. He also noted Bahrain’s history in laying democratic systems that today reflect crucial pillars of the Kingdom’s comprehensive development.
He said the conference reflects the unflinching high level of confidence the international community has in Bahrain’s ability to host such high-profile diplomatic events.
Other dignitaries who graced the event include the IPU President Duarte Pacheco, IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, Speaker of Ghana’s parliament Alban Bagbin, Majority and Minority Leaders Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Dr Cassiel Ato Forson respectively.
First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim and Second Deputy Majority Whip Habib Iddrisu are also in attendance.
Female MPs from Asokwa and Ketu South, Patricia Appiagyei and Abla Dzifa Gomashie, complete the list of Ghanaian parliamentarians attending the event in Bahrain.
This year, the IPU membership will increase to 179 with the readmission of Liberia, a founding member of the IPU in 1889 whose membership lapsed in 2011.
Listen to Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin below:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
