Speaker of Malawi Parliament Advocates for Stronger CoSPAL Constitution

Accra: Madam Catharine Gotani, the Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi and Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Africa Region, has called for the establishment of a robust constitution for the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL). She emphasized the importance of such a constitution as the foundation for the shared vision of Africa's future. According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Gotani conveyed her message through a video address at the Second General Assembly of CoSPAL held in Accra. CoSPAL serves as a permanent platform to unite Speakers and Presidents of African legislatures in support of the continent's growth and sustainable development agenda. A critical task of the two-day conference is to discuss and potentially adopt a Draft Constitution, prepared by the Interim Technical Working Group (ITWG), which was tasked with this responsibility at the inaugural General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2022. Madam Gotani highlighted the significance of th e Accra Conference in fostering deliberation and collaboration to address Africa's shared challenges. She invoked the words of former South African President Nelson Mandela, urging leaders to take responsibility for creating a better world. She stressed that Africa's destiny is in the hands of its people and that parliaments must rise to the challenge of shaping that future. She also noted the transformative period Africa is experiencing and the pivotal role parliaments play in ensuring a people-centered, sustainable, and inclusive development agenda. The forum, she said, is a beacon of hope for driving collective action and empowering legislatures to become agents of progress, stability, and prosperity. As discussions at the Accra Conference unfold, Madam Gotani emphasized the opportunity to strengthen structures, processes, and funding mechanisms critical for the organization's success. She described the development of the draft constitution as not just a legal undertaking but a profound responsibility re quiring unity and resilience. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of diversity as a strength, underscoring a shared commitment to a prosperous and integrated Africa guided by good governance, human rights, and the rule of law. In addition, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, urged fellow African parliamentary leaders to intensify efforts against poverty. He stressed the interconnected nature of African countries and the necessity of collective action to overcome common challenges such as ignorance, poverty, and deprivation.