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Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has been elected Vice-Chairperson of the Forum of African Speakers and Presidents of Legislatures. The election, held in Accra, Ghana, highlighted the importance of regional unity and cooperation in addressing Africa’s development challenges

The Speaker of Parliament, Honorable Anita Among, has been elected Vice-Chairperson of the Forum of African Speakers and Presidents of Legislatures.

Her election took place on October 26, during the 2nd General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL) in Accra, Ghana.

According to a statement from the Speaker’s office, the assembly underscored the critical need for unity and regional cooperation to accelerate Africa’s development.

This high-level meeting, hosted by Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Right Honorable Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, brought together parliamentary leaders from across the continent to discuss sustainable solutions to shared challenges. Topics included poverty, unemployment, political instability, and climate change, with a focus on enhancing resource management and governance.

In her address on the closing day, Honorable Among highlighted the importance of African unity in overcoming the continent’s challenges. She stated, “Addressing Africa’s challenges requires united efforts and shared solutions. Our focus must shift towards unlocking the potential of our resources and empowering our people, rather than remaining dependent on external assistance.”

Newly-elected Forum Chairperson, Right Honorable Bagbin, called on African parliaments to play an active role in advancing the continent’s development agenda. “As representatives of our people, we cannot remain on the periphery. Legislatures must be central to initiatives aimed at addressing Africa’s challenges to fulfill the aspirations of the people we represent,” he emphasized. He further urged heads of legislatures to enact policies that promote economic resilience, inclusive growth, and human capital development to ensure that Africa’s wealth benefits its people.

The assembly stressed that Africa’s sustainable development depends on effective management of its natural and human resources, with reduced reliance on foreign aid. It also advocated for deeper cross-border cooperation in economic integration, governance, and infrastructure development as a means of unlocking the continent’s full potential.

Honorable Among’s election to the Forum’s leadership reflects Uganda’s growing influence in regional parliamentary diplomacy and reinforces the call for unity and collaborative approaches to drive sustainable development across Africa.

Established in 2020, COSPAL serves as a platform to enhance deliberation, collaboration, and cooperation between speakers and presidents of parliaments and national assemblies across the African continent.