The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been unanimously elected as Chairman of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the ongoing 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
The election, which took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, places Ghana at the forefront of global parliamentary diplomacy and international relations. The Africa Geopolitical Group is a 52-member continental branch of the IPU, which coordinates Africa’s common positions on key global parliamentary issues.
In his acceptance remarks, Speaker Bagbin pledged to champion transparency, democratic governance, and sustainable development across the continent through stronger legislative institutions. He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting African unity and fostering consensus-building among member parliaments.
The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament takes over from Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, who was lauded for her excellent tenure.
Speaker Bagbin, who also serves as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), and is the immediate past Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International, expressed gratitude to the African delegations for their support and confidence in his leadership. He made special mention of the Nigerian delegation for seconding his nomination and commended the Senegalese delegation for their magnanimity in withdrawing their candidate in the spirit of African unity.
The Africa Geopolitical Group, established in the 1950s, plays a key role in ensuring fair geographical representation within the IPU’s governing structures and committees. It also coordinates Africa’s stance on major IPU decisions, reviews vacancies within committees, and nominates candidates to fill such positions.
Speaker Bagbin’s new role is expected to enhance Ghana’s influence in global parliamentary diplomacy while strengthening cooperation among African legislatures in addressing governance, peace, security, and development challenges on the continent.
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