Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged African nations to firmly safeguard their legislative independence and cultural heritage, warning against what he sees as increasing attempts by external actors to influence domestic policy choices and social norms.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Fourth African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values in Accra, Mr Bagbin maintained that African states must remain free to determine their own societal values and legal frameworks without outside interference.

The gathering has drawn Speakers and parliamentary representatives from several African countries at a time when discussions around family systems, national self-determination and LGBTQ-related laws continue to attract widespread attention across the continent.

Mr Bagbin contended that making financial assistance or development partnerships contingent on legislative reforms amounts to an infringement on the sovereign rights of nations. He said such practices run counter to the principles that govern relations among states and undermine the ability of countries to chart their own development paths.

The Speaker stressed that Africa does not seek to export its cultural traditions or legal standards to other parts of the world and therefore expects equal respect for its own values and institutions.

He further challenged the notion that social progress must come at the expense of cultural identity, encouraging African leaders to preserve traditions they believe reflect the aspirations and realities of their people.

Addressing debates surrounding family structures, Mr Bagbin noted that African conceptions of family are rooted in historical, cultural and communal experiences that may differ from models prevalent elsewhere.

This year’s conference takes place shortly after Ghana’s Parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, a piece of legislation that has sparked extensive discussion within the country and beyond its borders.

Participants are expected to spend the coming days examining strategies for promoting family-centred policies, enhancing collaboration among African legislatures and advancing governance approaches that resonate with the continent’s social and cultural context.