Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has emphasized the importance of nurturing hope, securing peace, and ensuring justice as key pillars for sustainable development.
Delivering Ghana’s statement at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, he described hope as a reflection of confidence in systems that promote inclusive growth, protect livelihoods, and create opportunities, particularly for young people.
He noted that lasting peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and must be anchored in justice, equity, and resilient institutions.
Speaker Bagbin highlighted the critical role of parliaments in advancing these ideals, citing Ghana’s experience in parliamentary oversight of environmental policies and social protection programmes. He, however, acknowledged that despite Ghana’s democratic stability, the country continues to face challenges such as economic inequality, youth unemployment, weak institutional capacity, environmental degradation, and security threats, as well as emerging risks linked to misinformation, cybersecurity, and unequal access to digital technologies.
The Speaker further stressed that Parliament remains central to translating national aspirations into laws, policies, and accountability mechanisms through its legislative, oversight, and representative functions. He pointed to government interventions in education, youth empowerment, and social protection, alongside ongoing judicial reforms aimed at improving access to justice.
He concluded by urging stronger collaboration and political will, noting that building a peaceful, just, and hopeful society requires deliberate and sustained efforts to safeguard the future of coming generations.