Under the leadership of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, a distinguished Ghanaian parliamentary delegation is actively participating in the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) currently underway in Bridgetown, Barbados. The event, hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the CPA Barbados Branch, commenced on Sunday, October 5, and has drawn over 500 delegates from across the Commonwealth.
Held under the theme “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner”, the conference is a pivotal platform for parliamentary leaders, presiding officers, and decision-makers to deliberate on pressing global issues. Key workshop topics include strengthening democratic institutions, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence in legislative processes, addressing the health impacts of climate change, and rebuilding public trust in Parliaments.
The conference is being hosted by CPA President (2024–2025), Senator Hon. Reginald Farley, JP, alongside Hon. Arthur Holder, MHA, SC, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados, and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley, SC, MP.
A Platform for Shared Learning and Innovation
Speaking on the significance of the event, the CPA Secretary-General emphasized the conference’s role in fostering collaboration among parliamentarians:
“This CPA Conference offers the opportunity to bring together MPs and key stakeholders to share and exchange ideas and best practices, reinforcing the fact that we live in an interconnected world and have a shared responsibility to address our common challenges.”
The conference also serves as a hub for professional development, with sessions designed to enhance parliamentary effectiveness and transparency. Delegates are engaging in a series of parallel meetings and conferences, including:
- The 41st CPA Small Branches Conference
- The 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference
- Meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network
- The 2025 CPA General Assembly and CPA Executive Committee sessions
- The 59th Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) meetings
Leadership Elections and Honours
Elections will be held to appoint new chairpersons for the CWP and CPwD networks, as well as the CPA Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson. The conference will also feature the 3rd Lifaka Lecture and the presentation of the 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Awards.
Ghana’s Continued Commitment to Parliamentary Excellence
Speaker Bagbin’s presence at the 68th CPC underscores Ghana’s continued commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and excellence. Notably, Ghana hosted the 66th CPC in Accra in 2023, a milestone event that showcased the nation’s leadership within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
This year’s conference marks the second time Barbados has hosted the CPC, the first being in 1989. As global challenges evolve, the 68th CPC stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of parliamentary cooperation in shaping inclusive and resilient democracies across the Commonwealth.
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