First Ordinary Session of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly held

First Ordinary Session of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly held

By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read

The National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire convened its First Ordinary Session for the year, yesterday, bringing together prominent parliamentary leaders from across West Africa to discuss critical issues impacting the continent.

The event, held on Monday in Abidjan, was attended by Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, alongside five other Speakers of National Parliaments, including representatives from Senegal, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, and the ECOWAS Parliament.

The session, hosted by the President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly, H.E. Adama Bictogo, was a demonstration of the shared commitment to strengthening African unity through parliamentary collaboration.

In his address, Speaker Bagbin emphasized the urgency of collective action to address regional challenges such as terrorism, political instability, and climate change. African lawmakers must stand in solidarity to combat terrorism, resolve conflicts, and confront climate change, he said.

He added that unity is essential for building political stability and fostering sustainable development in the region.

Speaker Bagbin’s delegation included his spouse, Madam Linda Ofosuah Oboh, along with Members of Parliament Hon. Habib Iddrisu, Hon. Dorcas Toffey, Hon. Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, and parliamentary staff.

Addressing the Ivorian lawmakers, President of Nigeria’s Senate, Godswill Akpabio, highlighted the significance of collaboration in driving progress across West Africa. “The future of West Africa rests upon us. Therefore, let us not be complacent. The challenges before us are vast – youth unemployment, human trafficking, and security threats. Yet, so too are the opportunities,” he said.

Akpabio also called for deeper unity among African nations. “The colonialists may have cut Africa into geopolitical chunks, but we must unite and stitch the torn fabrics of our heritage and teach the world that blood is still thicker than water. Let us envision a region where borders are bridges of unity, not walls of division, where trade flourishes, cultures blend, and progress becomes the right of every citizen,” he concluded.

The session served as a platform to reinforce the role of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing regional challenges, with participating leaders committing to collaborative efforts that promote peace, stability, and development across Africa.