The 2nd General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) has been announced.

The programme is slated for Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, according to a statement from Ghana’s Parliament, issued on Thursday, October 24, by its Media Relations Department.

“The 2nd General Assembly will bring together about 120 participants including fifteen (15) Speakers and Presidents of National Legislatures, 30 Deputy Speakers and Presidents, Clerks /Secretary Generals and supporting staffs of Parliaments and Assemble Nationales across Africa,” Parliament noted.

“The Conference is purposed to, under the leadership of the Rt. Hon Speaker of Parliament and current President of CoSPAL, build on the foundation of the 1st General Assembly to foster unity and collaborative governance among African legislatures.”

The statement explained: “The assembly represents a decisive step towards enhancing legislative effectiveness and fostering regional solidarity in addressing shared challenges across Africa.

“In addition to organising and directing the Conference, the Ghanaian Parliament will utilise the 2nd General Assembly of CoSPAL to showcase to our continental colleagues, Ghana's brand of democracy and proverbial hospitality,” Parliament said.

History

CoSPAL was established in 2020 as a platform to facilitat increased deliberation, collaboration, and cooperation between Speakers and Presidents of Parliaments and National Assemblies across Africa to address common challenges, devise joint strategies, and mobilise collective action to advance Africa's development.

The 1st General Assembly was held in May 2022 in Abuja, under the leadership of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, where foundation was laid for the convergence of heads of African legislatures on critical issues relating to post-COVID economic recovery and democratic development.