Speaker Bagbin Reaffirms Parliament’s Commitment to Promotion of Human Rights

By  Joylinda Laryea / June 23, 2025

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reaffirmed Ghana’s Parliament’s unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. This assurance was given when a delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by Mr. Akiyo Miguel Afouda, Senior Program Officer for Governance, paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.

The visit, aimed at advancing human and children’s rights in Ghana and across the sub-region, provided a platform for discussions on ongoing and future collaborations between Parliament and the IPU.

In his remarks, Speaker Bagbin highlighted Parliament’s active role in promoting human rights through its participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. He stressed that Parliament’s legislative, oversight, and budgetary functions place it at the forefront of protecting rights, monitoring executive compliance, and ensuring the implementation of UPR recommendations.

“Ghana’s Parliament has already acted on several key UPR recommendations supported by the state, including the abolition of the death penalty and the passage of the long-awaited Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill,” the Speaker stated.

He noted Parliament’s progress in improving prison conditions, promoting gender and environmental rights, and aligning domestic laws with international human rights protocols. Speaker Bagbin also cited Parliament’s partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and its active involvement in the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up.

He assured the delegation that Parliament would continue to strengthen its oversight and accountability roles to safeguard the rights of all Ghanaians and reaffirmed its active participation in the sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC).

In response, Mr. Afouda commended the Speaker for his dedication and engagement, recalling their initial meeting in March 2025 which celebrated the achievements of the IPU. He also announced plans for an upcoming workshop designed to educate members of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee.

The meeting underscored the importance of parliamentary leadership in promoting human rights and deepening collaboration with international partners.