The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has urged Ghanaians to embrace and showcase the rich Ghanaian culture and traditions during the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) scheduled from September 30th to October 6th, 2023, at the Accra International Conference Center.

The conference is set to host at least 600 Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from across Commonwealth nations to deliberate on various issues affecting democracy.

As the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and that of the Ghana chapter, Speaker Bagbin expressed excitement at Ghana hosting this prestigious conference and described it as a privilege.

The timing of the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is significant for Ghana, marking the 30th anniversary of the country’s Constitution, Parliament, and Fourth Republic.

The theme of the conference, “The Commonwealth Charter 10 Years on Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold,” aligns with Ghana’s national sentiment as the country commemorate three decades of parliamentary democracy.

Speaker Bagbin highlighted the importance of upholding Commonwealth values and principles in today’s global landscape. The CPA aims to promote inclusive, representative, and transparent Commonwealth Parliaments, underlining the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing challenges and shaping policies for citizens' benefit.

The conference is expected to bring together over 500 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth. Key events include workshops covering security, human rights, the environment, the economy, gender equality, and other critical topics. Various meetings and conferences are also planned, encompassing the 39th CPA Small Branches Conference, gatherings of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) networks, the 66th CPA General Assembly, meetings of the CPA Executive Committee, and the 57th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings.

As the President of the Association, Speaker Alban Bagbin will preside over the General Assembly, chair the Elections Committee, and actively participate in the Executive Committee’s deliberations.

He called for dedication and collaboration to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees, leaving a lasting impact and fostering collaborations among participants.