(Accra) – Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has been elected vice-chairperson of the Forum of African Speakers and Presidents of Legislatures, a significant appointment made during the 2nd General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL). The assembly, held in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on October 26, gathered parliamentary leaders from across Africa to discuss unity and regional cooperation as a means to accelerate the continent’s development.
At this high-level assembly, hosted by Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, delegates emphasized that African nations must work together to confront shared challenges such as poverty, unemployment, political instability, and climate change. A statement from Among’s office noted the importance placed on strengthening governance and improving the management of Africa’s resources.
The agenda of this year’s meeting focused on exploring solutions that go beyond relying on external support, pushing instead for African-led approaches to tackle long-standing issues. Speaker Among addressed the assembly on its final day, calling for a shift in focus from external aid dependence to self-reliance by optimizing Africa’s resources and uplifting its people.
“Addressing Africa’s challenges requires united efforts and shared solutions,” she remarked, stressing that Africa’s potential lies in utilizing its natural resources for the benefit of its people.
Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was also elected as chairperson of the forum, urged his fellow parliamentary leaders to prioritize active legislative involvement in African development agendas. He insisted that national legislatures have a critical role in ensuring that initiatives aimed at addressing Africa’s unique challenges are not sidelined.
“As representatives of our people, we cannot sit on the fringes. Legislatures must be at the heart of initiatives aimed at solving Africa’s challenges to meet the needs and aspirations of the people we represent,” Bagbin asserted, underscoring the need for policies that build economic resilience, promote inclusive growth, and enhance human capital.
The assembly encouraged legislators to implement measures aimed at sustainable development through responsible governance of Africa’s wealth. An integral part of this strategy includes cross-border collaboration in economic, governance, and infrastructure development areas, which could help unlock Africa’s vast potential.
The Forum of African Speakers and Presidents of Legislatures was launched in 2020 to provide a structured platform for African legislative leaders to deliberate on issues affecting the continent. This forum enables collaboration and cooperation across national assemblies, fostering a unified African voice in parliamentary diplomacy.
