The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for stronger parliamentary action to promote peace, justice and hope as essential pillars for sustainable development.
Delivering Ghana’s statement at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, Bagbin said hope reflects people’s confidence in systems that create opportunities, protect livelihoods and promote inclusive growth, especially for the youth. He stressed that lasting peace must go beyond the absence of conflict and be grounded in justice, fairness and resilient institutions.
The Speaker noted that parliaments have a critical role to play in advancing these ideals through lawmaking, oversight and representation. He cited Ghana’s experience in parliamentary oversight of environmental policies and social protection programmes as examples of how legislatures can help improve citizens’ lives.
Bagbin, however, acknowledged that Ghana continues to face significant challenges, including economic inequality, youth unemployment, weak institutional capacity, environmental degradation and security threats. He also pointed to emerging concerns such as misinformation, cybersecurity risks and unequal access to digital technologies.
According to him, Parliament remains central to translating national aspirations into practical laws, policies and accountability mechanisms. He referenced government interventions in education, youth empowerment and social protection, as well as ongoing judicial reforms aimed at improving access to justice.
He urged stronger collaboration and political will, stressing that building a peaceful, just and hopeful society requires deliberate and sustained efforts to secure the future of coming generations.
Source: parliamentnews360.com
