After his threat with a stern face of “no smile again” yesterday, 2 June 2026, A.S.K. Bagbin was caught smiling broadly a day after, thus 3 June 2026 in the Chamber.
It all started when Reverend John Ntim Fordjour co MC for Fourth Inter- Parliamentary Conference introducing him to give the keynote address, referred to him as properly married with children. This drew the hitherto, stern Speaker into laughter that remained throughout his address.
Smiling speaker gave indepth history about African unity and family cohesion in line with the theme: Family, Sovereignty and Values. As a result, he successfully caught the ultimate attention of his audience (delegates for the conference) listening to him in silence.
The second deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah gave a welcome address to the delegates. In addition, there were solidarity messages from Speakers of Morocco, Eswatini, Chad and Burundi.
Opening his address with a reverence for Accra’s historic significance as a hub of Pan-African liberation, Bagbin highlighted Ghana’s pivotal role in shaping African self-determination.
He reminded delegates that true emancipation extends beyond political independence to include cultural, intellectual, and institutional autonomy—values rooted in Ghana’s history and vital for Africa’s future.
In his speech, he emphasized the vital role of legislative bodies in safeguarding Africa’s cultural heritage, reinforcing sovereignty, and fostering a unified approach to family values across the continent.
The speaker underscored the importance of the family as the fundamental unit of sovereignty and social stability. He stated, “If the family breaks under economic distress or cultural alienation, the state itself loses its structural integrity.” He urged African legislators to craft laws that reflect indigenous values, protect the family, and resist external pressures that threaten to impose alien legal paradigms.
He urged delegates to return to their countries with renewed resolve, ensuring that the commitments made at the conference are translated into meaningful action that protects the sanctity of the family, the sovereignty of nations, and the rich cultural fabric of Africa.
The conference was officially declared open with Bagbin’s call for unity and deliberate action, marking a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s legislative framework in line with its cultural and developmental aspirations.
