The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been appointed to the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Task Force on the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war.

 The appointment, announced by the President of the IPU, recognises Speaker Bagbin’s “integrity, impartiality, and ability to build trust with all parties.” He joins seven other distinguished parliamentarians from all six IPU geopolitical groups who make up the Task Force.

The statement was signed by David Sebastian Damoah, the Director, Media Relations, Parliamentary Service of Ghana

According to the IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, Speaker Bagbin’s experience and leadership will significantly contribute to the group’s mission.

“We are confident that your leadership and experience will enhance the work and impact of the Task Force in its mission to support diplomatic efforts in seeking a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine,” Chungong stated in a letter to the Speaker.

 The IPU Task Force was established in March 2022 as an ad-hoc body to facilitate dialogue between parliamentarians from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Since then, it has held more than thirteen meetings and carried out missions to Kyiv and Moscow in July 2022.

 In addition to these missions, the Task Force meets every six months during IPU Assemblies, engaging in consultations with parliamentary delegations from both Ukraine and Russia.

Despite limited diplomatic channels between the two countries, the IPU Task Force remains one of the few international platforms where their parliamentarians continue to engage in dialogue.

 Speaker Bagbin’s inclusion is expected to strengthen efforts toward peacebuilding and diplomatic negotiation.

As a seasoned international peace negotiator and broker, his participation will bring renewed momentum to the Task Force’s work.

 In his new role, Speaker Bagbin will attend in-person IPU meetings, hearings, and discussions involving both Ukrainian and Russian delegations.

He will also engage in dialogue with government leaders from both countries, with the ultimate goal of helping to douse tensions and broker peace in Ukraine.