The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has officially inaugurated the Management Committee of the Parliamentary Friendship Association, signaling a renewed drive toward deepening Ghana\u2019s parliamentary diplomacy and global engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his keynote address at the inauguration ceremony, the Speaker described the establishment of the committee as a pivotal step in Parliament\u2019s commitment to institutionalizing and enhancing soft diplomacy through structured and impactful Parliamentary Friendship Associations. He emphasized that the associations must be more than ceremonial bodies or platforms for travel opportunities, calling instead for strategic engagement and measurable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe formation of this committee is a critical milestone in our continuous efforts to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy,\u201d the Speaker noted. \u201cFriendship Associations must operate with transparency, clear structure, and strategic outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, echoed the Speaker\u2019s sentiments, stressing that the associations should play an active and visible role in strengthening bilateral relations. \u201cWe want to see reports from these associations presented on the floor of Parliament,\u201d he urged. \u201cThey must be responsive in times of celebration or crisis, whether by recognizing national events of partner countries or expressing solidarity in times of disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representing the Minority Leadership, the 2nd Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, reiterated the global relevance of parliamentary friendship groups. Speaking on behalf of the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, he emphasized that such associations must lead to tangible outcomes that benefit Ghana\u2019s Parliament. \u201cThey must not remain ceremonial,\u201d he said. \u201cThey must foster real partnerships, networks, and opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The diplomatic community was also represented at the event, with the Ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana, H.E. Maher Kheir, encouraging the committee to take its role seriously and ensure productive engagements that strengthen diplomatic ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chairperson of the newly inaugurated Management Committee, Hon. Ricketts-Hagan, expressed the committee\u2019s resolve to fulfill its mandate with dedication. \u201cWe are committed to bringing renewed hope to the friendship associations and ensuring they operate efficiently and with purpose,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting the importance of the committee\u2019s role, Mr. Camillo Pwamang, Deputy Clerk in charge of Legislative Management Services, noted that by the end of the Eighth Parliament, forty (40) friendship associations had been established. Following a directive from the Speaker, two more were added in the Ninth Parliament, bringing the current total to forty-two (42).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Pwamang concluded that in an era of increasingly complex international relations, parliamentary diplomacy plays a vital role, and Ghana\u2019s Parliament must continue to leverage these associations to foster cooperation and build international goodwill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has officially inaugurated the Management Committee of the Parliamentary Friendship Association, signaling a renewed drive toward deepening Ghana\u2019s parliamentary diplomacy and global engagement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,1],"tags":[1320,1321,576],"class_list":{"0":"post-2213","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-news","8":"category-news","9":"tag-parliamentary-diplomacy","10":"tag-parliamentary-friendship-association","11":"tag-rt-hon-alban-sumana-kingsford-bagbin"},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n