A delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by its Senior Program Officer for Governance, Mr. Akiyo Miguel Afouda, has paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The visit was aimed at deepening collaboration on the promotion of human and children’s rights in Ghana and across the sub-region.
During the meeting, the Speaker reaffirmed Ghana’s Parliament’s unwavering commitment to promoting human rights through its active engagement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. He emphasized that Parliament’s legislative, oversight, and budgetary roles place it at the heart of efforts to safeguard rights, monitor government accountability, and implement UPR recommendations.
“Ghana’s Parliament has already acted on several key UPR recommendations endorsed by the state,” the Speaker said. “These include the abolition of the death penalty and the passage of the long-awaited Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill.”
Speaker Bagbin also highlighted Ghana’s achievements in areas such as improving prison conditions, promoting gender and environmental rights, and aligning national laws with international human rights protocols.
He disclosed that Parliament, in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), is actively supporting the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. He noted Parliament’s participation in the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up, as well as its close cooperation with the IPU and human rights civil society organisations (CSOs).
The Speaker assured the IPU delegation that Parliament will continue to strengthen its constitutional roles in protecting the rights of all citizens. He noted that Parliament has been consistently involved in sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and related national reporting mechanisms, underscoring its commitment to both domestic and international human rights obligations.
In response, Mr. Akiyo Miguel Afouda commended the Speaker for his dedication and leadership in advancing the human rights agenda. He recalled their initial meeting in March 2025, which was held to celebrate the achievements of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and announced that a workshop has been planned to build the capacity of members of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee.
The visit underscores the strengthening relationship between the IPU and Ghana’s Parliament, with both parties reaffirming their shared goal of promoting inclusive governance, accountability, and human rights protections across the region.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
