In a spirited bid to limit language barriers and deepen parliamentary democracy within the African region, the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Adama Bictogo, have decided to lead the effort and make the two countries a shining example for the rest to follow.

The declaration was made when His Excellency Adama Bictogo paid a courtesy call to him during a two-day official visit to Ghana.

At a media engagement in Parliament after holding a bilateral meeting, the Rt. Hon. Speaker noted that as the Chairman of the Conference of all Speakers, Presidents, and Presiding Officers in Africa, he is in a good position to promote the idea of putting together a mechanism to eliminate language barriers and promote trade among African countries.

His Excellency Adama Bictogo, who also chairs the Conference of All Presidents/Speakers of National Assemblies in Francophone countries, noted that to effectively deal with parliamentary democracy, African countries must agree to share topics that will promote education, economic planning, and transformation to become stronger.

He posited that “Through cooperation, our weakness is covered by our strength, and as one family, we must work together and create jobs for the population.” He admitted that these initiatives of African Parliament Speakers must be done in agreement with the respective Presidents of the countries.

He also used the opportunity to invite Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin to address the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire in October when the House resumes. In a reciprocal gesture, His Excellency Adama Bictogo is expected to address Ghana’s Parliament in January 2025 at the invitation of the Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Bagbin.

For his part, the Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, recounted how the two countries have been working together to achieve common goals and for the development of the African region.

In terms of strengthening the relationship between the two countries, he was of the view that when the two countries had maritime boundary disputes, the issue was settled amicably and both countries celebrated. He added that the success and trade cooperation cannot be underestimated when it comes to the cocoa sector.

In a similar vein, the Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, noted that beyond the language barriers, a lot needs to be done to promote trade within the African region. For instance, he cited that shipping certain goods from Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire is more expensive than shipping them to the United States, and this does not encourage trade among African countries.

The two Speakers later agreed to document all the initiatives and programs seeking to break language barriers within the African region for the benefit of their successive Speakers to continue what they have started.

Leaders from both caucuses of the House, chairmen of committees, Clerk to Parliament Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, Deputy Clerk Ebenezer Djietror, directors, and officers of the Parliamentary Service were also present.

The two-day official visit of the delegation from the Ivorian National Assembly is expected to strengthen and deepen the relationship between the two countries and contribute positively to Africa’s regional integration and stability.