By Valentia Tetteh
A high-powered delegation from Ghana’s Parliament, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is participating in the ongoing 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown, Barbados. The conference, hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Barbados Branch, brings together over 500 Speakers, Presiding Officers, Parliamentarians, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth.
The 68th CPC, which commenced on Sunday, 5th October, is being held under the theme “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner.” Participants are deliberating on key issues affecting parliaments globally, including strengthening democratic institutions, leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to transform parliamentary work, the impact of climate change on global health, and building public trust in legislatures.
The CPA President for 2024–2025, Senator Reginald Farley, JP, President of the Senate of Barbados, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados, Arthur Holder, are hosting the week-long event, which is also being attended by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.
Emphasising the significance of the conference, the Secretary-General of the CPA underscored that the meeting provides a platform for Parliamentarians to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration across Commonwealth nations. He noted that the gathering reinforces the shared responsibility of Parliaments to address common global challenges while improving transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness.
The conference also features several side events, including the 41st CPA Small Branches Conference, the 9th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference, meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Network, the 2025 CPA General Assembly, the 59th Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) meetings, and the 3rd Lifaka Lecture. Elections will also be held for various leadership positions, including the Chairpersons of the CWP and CPwD networks, the CPA Treasurer, and the Vice-Chairperson.
Speaker Bagbin’s participation follows Ghana’s successful hosting of the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra two years ago. The current conference marks the second time Barbados has hosted the event, the first being the 35th CPC in 1989.
The 68th CPC serves as a vital platform for Ghana’s Parliament to share its democratic experiences, strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, and contribute to shaping effective legislative responses to global and regional challenges.
