Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has commended the Pan African Clergy Council for its ongoing partnership with the legislature in promoting ethical and moral values in national development. The Speaker made these remarks during a courtesy call by the Council at Parliament House.
During the meeting, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between religious institutions and Parliament to reinforce discipline and social responsibility in governance. The call comes as Ghana continues to navigate complex national challenges requiring both legislative action and moral guidance.
The Pan African Clergy Council has maintained a working relationship with Ghana’s Parliament, focusing on issues of ethical leadership and value based governance. The organization works across the African continent to promote religious cooperation and moral standards in public life.
Speaker Bagbin has consistently advocated for stronger ties between the Church and State in advancing Ghana’s development agenda. Earlier this year, he received the Defender of Faith award from Bible and Governance Ghana in recognition of his efforts to promote cultural values and embody principles of faith in public service.
During that award ceremony in March, the Speaker stressed that the Church and State must work together to advance the country’s interests. He called on religious leaders to focus on governance rather than engaging in partisan politics, emphasizing that such collaboration ensures continuous growth and development.
The Speaker has also been involved in several faith based parliamentary initiatives. In February, he participated in a breakfast prayer meeting organized by the Christian Fellowship of Parliament, themed “A better and stronger Parliament.” At that gathering, he expressed concern over growing disorder in the legislative house and called for divine intervention to restore unity and discipline among lawmakers.
Speaker Bagbin noted during the February meeting that there was often a stark contrast between the conduct of politicians in church and their behavior in Parliament. He described the situation as troubling and stressed the need for collective change in attitude to restore order in the House.
The Pan African Clergy Council’s visit to Parliament reflects ongoing efforts by religious bodies to engage with legislative institutions across Africa. Such partnerships aim to ensure that moral and ethical considerations inform policy making and legislative processes.
Ghana’s Parliament has historically maintained relationships with various religious organizations as part of efforts to promote good governance and accountability. These collaborations have included prayer sessions, consultations on social policies, and joint initiatives addressing national challenges.
The Speaker’s call for enhanced cooperation between the Church and Parliament comes at a time when the Ninth Parliament is working to strengthen democratic institutions and improve legislative effectiveness. Speaker Bagbin, who was reelected to his position in January 2025, has prioritized institutional reforms and enhanced public engagement.
Religious institutions in Ghana have played significant roles in national development, including education, healthcare, and social welfare. Their involvement in governance discourse has been viewed as essential to ensuring that development initiatives align with societal values and ethical standards.
The specific details of the Pan African Clergy Council’s proposals during the courtesy call were not immediately disclosed. However, the meeting forms part of ongoing dialogue between Parliament and civil society organizations aimed at strengthening democratic governance in Ghana.
Speaker Bagbin has held various leadership positions both within Parliament and across African legislative bodies. In November, he was elected President of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption during the organization’s Ninth Biennial General Meeting held in Accra, further cementing his role in continental governance initiatives.
The partnership between religious institutions and Parliament is expected to continue as both entities work toward shared goals of promoting transparency, accountability, and moral leadership in public service.
