Speaker Bagbin Elected Chairman of Inter-Parliamentary Union Africa:
Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, has been unanimously elected Chairperson of the 52-member Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The election took place on October 19, 2025, during the ongoing 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
This appointment elevates Ghana to a prominent position in international relations, parliamentary diplomacy, and global leadership. It also reinforces Speaker Bagbin’s standing as a respected figure in international parliamentary affairs. In addition to his new role, Speaker Bagbin serves as the President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and is the immediate past Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International.
As Chairperson of the Africa Group, Rt. Hon. Bagbin will coordinate and harmonize the continent’s positions on key IPU decisions and policies. He will also represent African parliamentary interests and advocate for the continent’s priorities on governance, peace, security, and sustainable development.
In his acceptance speech, Speaker Bagbin expressed his commitment to promoting collaboration and unity among African parliaments. He thanked African delegations for their attendance at the 151st IPU Assembly, specifically recognizing the Nigerian delegation for seconding his nomination. He also commended the Senegalese delegation for withdrawing their nominee to foster African unity and consensus-building.
Speaker Bagbin outlined his vision of strengthening legislative institutions across the continent to champion transparency, democratic governance, and sustainable development.
He succeeds Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, the Speaker of the South African National Assembly.
The Africa Geopolitical Group, formed in the 1950s, aims to ensure fair geographical representation within the IPU and coordinates African positions on key issues at IPU General Assembly Meetings and conferences. It also reviews and fills vacancies within the IPU’s committees and groups.
