The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the new Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Albert Bagbin, have agreed to strengthen parliamentary relations in a bid to find lasting solution to challenges such as the trade disputes between some Nigerian traders in Ghana and the country’s authorities.
The two speakers met virtually via Zoom on Friday, according to a statement issued by Gbajabiamila’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi.
The statement was titled, ‘Gbajabiamila, Ghana’s new speaker seek improved parliamentary relations…African speakers to meet in Nigeria this year.’
Gbajabiamila told his Ghanaian counterpart that ”the two countries were like siblings and should continue to explore the avenue of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing shared challenges, stressing that there was much both could learn from one another.”
The Nigerian Speaker also introduced the project he initiated with five other African Speakers, namely the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, saying that they worked together to advocate debt relief last year.
Gbajabiamila further stated that this year, ”African Speakers and Heads of Parliaments were expected to gather in Abuja to explore how they could work better together to tackle collective challenges.”
While congratulating the Ghanaian Speaker for his success at the recently contested polls, Gbajabiamila said he worked closely with the predecessor and looked forward to doing the same with Bagbin in continuation of the age-long tradition of solidarity between both nations.
Punch