Ghana is set to host the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from Saturday, September 30 to Friday, October 6 at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC).
The Conference will be held on the theme: ‘The Commonwealth Charter 10 years on: Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold’.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin said the event is remarkable as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of Ghana’s return to constitutional rule.
“This year, we are celebrating the combined 30th anniversary of our Constitution, our Parliament, and our Fourth Republic, marking a remarkable milestone in our journey as a beacon of democracy,” he told journalists.
“As a nation, we consider it a privilege to host this prestigious conference, and I am personally honored to serve as the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the President of the Ghana Branch of the Association.
‘Our conference coincides with a pivotal moment in our country’s history, as we reflect on our progress in parliamentary democracy.”
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter, a document that outlines the core principles and values of the Commonwealth.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, October 4 under the patronage of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This will set the stage for a series of workshops.
These workshops will delve into crucial topics such as security, human rights, the environment, the economy, gender equality, and other cross-cutting issues.
The workshop will focus on ‘Combating the Threat of Terrorism to Statehood: the Role of Parliament’ with the Minister of National Security leading discussions.
The 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is the pinnacle of the CPA’s annual gatherings, bringing together over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth.
The CPA Africa Region has a rich history of hosting conferences, with the 66th CPC in Accra marking the 17th occasion.
Over seven days, this conference will unite Speakers, Parliamentarians, Clerks-to-Parliaments, Parliamentary Staff, and key stakeholders from 56 National Branches and 111 Sub-National Branches across the Commonwealth’s nine geographic regions.
In addition to the main Conference, there will be sub-meetings including the 39th CPA Small Branches Conference, gatherings of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) networks, the 66th CPA General Assembly, meetings of the CPA Executive Committee, and the 57th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.
“In my capacity as the President of the Association, I will preside over the General Assembly on Thursday, October 5th, 2023, chair the Elections Committee of the Association, and actively participate in the Executive Committee’s deliberations,” Speaker Bagbin said.
“It is worth noting that during the 65th CPA General Assembly, Hon. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP (United Kingdom), was elected as the Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, while Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, MP, Majority Leader and Member of the Parliament of Ghana, was confirmed as the Vice-Chairperson.
“This demonstrates the active role Ghana plays within the CPA’s nine Regions.”