A Parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes has left Accra for Fiji Island to attend the 51st conference of the commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which is expected to take place between the 1st and 10th September 2005.

The ten-day conference will run concurrently with the 25th conference of members from small countries as well as the meting of the steering committee of the commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The conference is being held on the theme: " Commonwealth Parliaments in Partnership for Global Development" and will address a number of global issues including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and the role of Parliament in conflict-affected countries. The conference will also address gender-related issues by looking at ways to promote gender equality and empowerment of women.

Other members of Ghana's seven-member delegation are the Majority Leader Felix Owusu Adjapong, Minority Leader. Alban Bagbin, Majority Chief Whip Okerchiri Adusa, Josephine Hilda Addo, MP for Kwadaso, Mr. K.E.K. Tachie, Clerk of Parliament and Mr Asante Amoako Atta of the Parliamentary Service.

Ghana is expected to hold the African branch Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in the Fiji Island. The Rt. Hon. Speaker will proceed to attend the 2nd world speakers' conference scheduled for New York from 7th to 9th September 2005.

The main subject for discussion will be "Parliaments and Multilateral Co-operation - Meeting the Challenges of the 21st century."