Speaker Bagbin Elected Chair of Inter-Parliamentary Union Africa Group

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been unanimously elected Chairperson of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a 52-member continental bloc within the global parliamentary organization.

His election, which took place on October 19, 2025, during the ongoing 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, places Ghana at the heart of international parliamentary diplomacy and global governance.

The prestigious role reinforces Speaker Bagbin’s reputation as one of Africa’s most influential parliamentary figures, widely respected for his leadership and contributions to democratic governance. Beyond his new position, Rt. Hon. Bagbin also serves as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and is the immediate past Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International.

As Chairperson of the IPU Africa Group, Speaker Bagbin will be responsible for coordinating and harmonizing Africa’s collective positions on major IPU decisions and policies. He will also represent African parliamentary interests at the global level, advocating for the continent’s priorities on governance, peace, security, and sustainable development.

In his inaugural remarks after his election, Speaker Bagbin pledged to strengthen collaboration and unity among African parliaments. He expressed gratitude to all African delegations present at the assembly, particularly commending the Nigerian delegation for seconding his nomination and the Senegalese delegation for withdrawing its candidate in the spirit of consensus and African solidarity.

He emphasized his commitment to promoting transparency, deepening democratic governance, and advancing sustainable development through the empowerment of legislative institutions across the continent.

Speaker Bagbin succeeds Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of the South African National Assembly, who was praised for her outstanding tenure.

Established in the early 1950s, the IPU Africa Geopolitical Group ensures fair geographical representation in the IPU’s executive and subsidiary bodies. The Group also coordinates African positions on key agenda items at IPU assemblies and proposes candidates for various committee roles within the Union.

Speaker Bagbin’s new position marks another milestone in Ghana’s growing influence in international parliamentary affairs.