Bagbin Elected Chairman of Inter-Parliamentary Union Africa Group

Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a continental body comprising 52 member states.

The election took place on Saturday, October 19, 2025, during the 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

A statement issued by the Director of Media Relations of Parliament, David Sebastian Damoah Esq., described the development as a significant milestone that elevates Ghana’s standing in global parliamentary diplomacy and reinforces Speaker Bagbin’s reputation as one of Africa’s most respected legislative leaders.

In his new capacity, Speaker Bagbin will be responsible for coordinating Africa’s collective positions on key IPU policies and decisions, while serving as the principal representative of the continent’s parliamentary interests on the international stage.

He is expected to lead advocacy efforts on governance, peace, security, democracy, and sustainable development — core issues central to the IPU’s global agenda.

Following his election, Speaker Bagbin expressed gratitude to his peers and pledged to strengthen unity and cooperation among African parliaments. He also commended his predecessor, Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, for her outstanding leadership during her tenure.

The Africa Geopolitical Group, established in the 1950s, functions as a regional bloc within the IPU to ensure equitable representation of African countries in the Union’s governing structures and to coordinate the continent’s positions on key international parliamentary matters.

Speaker Bagbin’s election is being hailed as a testament to Ghana’s growing influence in global governance and its commitment to advancing parliamentary democracy across Africa.