Speaker Solicits Strengthening Of Conference Of Speakers, Heads Of Parliament

By Oduyemi Odumade

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized the importance of the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments, CoSAP, and called for its continuation and strengthening.

Dr. Abbas believes that CoSAP is instrumental in enabling parliaments across the African continent to find legislative solutions to the challenges faced by their respective countries.

“CoSAP in an initiative of some speakers and heads of African parliaments between 2020 and 2021″.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria.

Speaking during a meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Abbas emphasized that there has never been a more critical time for African parliaments to come together given the multitude of challenges faced by countries on the continent, the Speaker believes that the collaboration facilitated by CoSAP is essential.

Dr. Abbas expressed his appreciation for the Chairman of CoSAP and Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin,
for convening the meeting.

During the meeting, which aimed to discuss the draft constitution of CoSAP, Mr. Bagbin explained that the initiative was in response to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the resolutions reached at the initial meeting in Abuja, the speakers agreed on the necessity for decisive action to prevent unconstitutional overthrows of governments in Africa.

They also recognized the need for effective parliamentary oversight to manage Africa’s escalating debt burden and stressed the importance of safeguarding and strengthening the roles and powers of the legislative arm.

Additionally, creating an enabling legislative environment for public-private partnership, building capacity to address food insecurity, and enhancing effectiveness of African inter-parliamentary institutions werey identified as key priorities.
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Several speakers, including those from the Tanzanian Parliament, Rwandan Parliament, South African Parliament, Gambian Parliament, Zambian Parliament, and Sierra Leone’s ex-Speaker, commended the founding fathers of CoSAP, particularly Femi Gbajabiamila, for their visionary leadership.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to carefully study the draft CoSAP constitution before convening again next year.

Edited By Grace Namiji