In a spirited bid to limit language barriers and deepen Parliamentary Democracy within the African Region, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and the President of the National Assembly of Cote d’Ivoire, His Excellency Adama Bictogo have decided to lead the talk and make the two countries a shining example for the rest to follow.
The declaration was made when His Excellency Adama Bictogo paid a courtesy call on him during a two-day official visit to Ghana.
At a media engagement in Parliament after holding a bilateral meeting,the Rt. Hon. Speaker noted that as the Chairman of the conference of all Speakers and Presidents and Presiding Officers in Africa, he is in a good position to sell the idea of putting together a good mechanism to eliminate language barriers and promote trade among African countries.
His Excellency Adama Bictogo who also chairs the Conference of All Presidents / Speakers of National Assemblies in Francophone countries noted that in dealing effectively with Parliamentary Democracy, African countries must agree to share topics that will promotes education, planning on the economy, and transform countries to become stronger.
He posited that “Through cooperation, our weakness is covered by our strength, and as one family we must work together and create jobs for the population”. He admitted that these initiatives of African Parliament Speakers must be done in agreement with the respective Presidents of the countries.
He also used the opportunity to invite Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin to address the National Assembly of Cote d’Ivoire in October when the House resumes in October,2024. In a reciprocal gesture, His Excellency Adama Bictogo is expected to address Ghana’s Parliament in January 2025 at the invitation of the Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin.
For his part the Majority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin recounted how the two countries have been working together to achieve common goals and for the development of the African region.
In terms of strengthening the relationship between the two countries, he was of the view that when the two countries had maritime boundary disputes, the issue was settled amicably and both countries celebrated. He added that the success and trade cooperation cannot be underestimated when it comes to the cocoa sector.
In a similar vain, the Minority Leader Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson noted that beyond the language barriers, a lot needs to be done to promote trade with the African Region. For instance, he cited that shipping certain goods from Ghana to Cote d’Ivoire is more expensive than shipping them to the United States and this does not encourage trade among African countries.
The two Speakers later agreed to document all the initiatives and programmes seeking to break language barriers within the African Region for the benefit of their successive Speakers to continue what they have started.
Leaders from both Caucuses of the House, Chairmen of Committees, Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, Deputy Clerk Ebenezer Djietror, Directors, and Officers of the Parliamentary Service were also present.
The two-day official visit of the delegation from the Ivorian National Assembly is expected to strengthen and deepen the relationship between the two countries and contribute positively to Africa’s regional integration and stability.
