The speaker of the parliament of Ghana, Dr Alban Bagbin and Femi Gbajabiamila at COSAP held in Abuja. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu/Radio Nigeria
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, says African countries must create ways to survive global challenges through the efforts of the people and sustained cooperation with one another.
Mr Gbajabiamila made the remark during the official handover of the leadership of Conference of Speakers and Heads of African parliaments (COSAP) to the speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Dr Alban Bagbin, in Abuja.
This according to the speaker is because the continent is now on its own, especially in the era of global uncertainties due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, wars and accelerating effects of climate change.
He said as representatives and advocates in their national lives, parliaments can influence national discourse and create public debates.
“As representatives and advocates in our national parliaments, we can influence national discourse and frame public debates. We must use this power to preach the message of African brotherhood and shape the worldview of our various peoples to achieve a common understanding of how deeply connected we all are and how it is in all our best interests to look out for each other in a world that more often than not, will not look out for us. Through CoSAP, we will continue to work together, doing all we can to achieve great things for our African homeland.
The speaker of the parliament of Ghana, Dr Alban Bagbin, stated that COSAP was established to facilitate increase deliberation, collaboration and cooperation between speakers, heads of parliaments and national assemblies across Africa.
This he said, would provide the opportunity to address common challenges, offer joint solutions and mobilize political action to advance the continent’s development.
Dr Bagbin stressed the need for African parliaments to take decisive action to end the unconditional overthrow of governments in Africa.
He also stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary oversights on Africa’s rising debt profile.
