Ghana committed to collaborate with IPU to fight intolerance and promote peaceful co-existence – Alban Bagbin
Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has assured the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) of Ghana’s commitment to collaborate with the Union in fighting intolerance and promoting peaceful co-existence in societies.
Speaking during the 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain, Alban Bagbin assured of the country’s determination to develop a democratic culture free of intolerance, one that promotes respect for all people, human rights and freedoms, human dignity, equality, and inclusiveness of all in the decision-making process among others.
While appealing to the global community to pursue harmony, Mr. Bagbin said Parliaments the world over are better positioned and empowered to “combat and counter” incidents that challenge world peace.
“The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) can rely on the Parliament of Ghana to achieve the theme of this Assembly. The Parliament of Ghana will work in partnership with the IPU and all members to fight intolerance and promote peaceful co-existence and inclusive society.”
“Parliaments all over the world are better positioned and empowered to combat and counter these disruptive efforts. The Parliament of Ghana has worked and is still working to promote peaceful co-existence of different tribes, religions, creed, race, color, gender, political opinions, migrants and so on,” he told the Assembly.
This year’s edition of the annual conference drew some 2,700 delegates from more than 179 countries across the globe in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the conference which is under the theme, “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance.”
While touting Ghana’s peaceful co-existence, the Speaker said Parliament has enacted various acts including the National Peace Council Act, Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Act, as part of efforts to sustain the promotion of tolerance.
The Speaker also added charged legislators across the world to encourage tolerance and inclusive development through the laws they promulgate.
