Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has received the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Award for World Unity, a recognition that further elevates his reputation as a strong advocate for peace, dialogue, and good governance.
The award was presented during the 26th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World (ICCJW), held in Lucknow, India, from 19–24 November 2025. Organisers honoured Speaker Bagbin for his consistent dedication to promoting global unity, peace-building, and protecting the rights and wellbeing of children.
According to the conference officials, Bagbin was chosen for his “unwavering support for children’s call for world unity, world peace, and a safe future for over 2.5 billion children around the globe, as well as generations yet to come.”
Since Speaker Bagbin could not attend, Ambassador Jonathan Rexford Magnussen received the award on his behalf. While presenting the honour, Prof. Sandeep Srivastava, Project Leader of the ICCJW, commended Bagbin’s long-standing efforts in fostering peace and defending vulnerable children affected by conflic
Prof. Srivastava stressed that the world needs more leaders like Bagbin—leaders who, in his words, “nurture children with love and kindness so they can grow into the Mahatma Gandhis, Kwame Nkrumahs, and Nelson Mandelas of the future.”
Ambassador Magnussen, in his acceptance speech, thanked the organisers for acknowledging Ghana’s Speaker and reaffirmed Bagbin’s commitment to promoting peace and unity worldwide. He also highlighted Bagbin’s strong influence in global parliamentary affairs, describing him as a “towering figure on the international stage.”
Magnussen further noted Bagbin’s respected role in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, where he is part of the Task Force working on the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
This year’s ICCJW focused on global instability, climate-related crises, and weakened governance systems. Citing the UNHCR Global Trends Report 2024, delegates noted that more than 123 million people were displaced by conflict in 2024 alone.
Participants agreed that the world urgently needs a fresh approach to global peace and collective security. They pointed to Article 51 of the Indian Constitution as a guiding model for promoting peaceful conflict resolution, respect for international law, and fair international relations.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to leaders who embody global unity and peace. Among the awardees were India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, and Ghana’s Speaker Bagbin.
This new honour adds to Speaker Bagbin’s growing list of global recognitions for his statesmanship, diplomatic work, and dedication to strengthening democracy worldwide.
By Benedict Wiafe
