Ghana is set to welcome lawmakers, policymakers, religious leaders and governance experts from across Africa for the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values, with Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, describing the gathering as a crucial platform for defending Africa’s cultural identity and strengthening family systems amid growing global pressures.
Speaking during the press launch of the conference at Parliament House in Accra on Monday, Mr. Bagbin said the continent faces increasing social, cultural and ideological challenges that threaten traditional family structures, national sovereignty and the values that have historically bound African societies together.
The conference, scheduled for June 3 to June 6, 2026, will bring together delegates from more than 30 countries and is expected to attract over 300 participants, including Speakers and Presidents of Parliament, Members of Parliament, academics, policy experts, civil society representatives and religious leaders.
According to the Speaker, the decision to move the event to Parliament House underscores its significance and the central role legislatures must play in shaping policies that protect families and preserve Africa’s cultural heritage.
“Parliament House provides the most appropriate setting for discussions on shaping laws, policies and actions that strengthen families, uphold sovereignty and preserve Africa’s shared values,” he stated.
Family at the Centre of National Development
A major theme of the conference, Mr. Bagbin explained, will be the protection and strengthening of the family unit, which he described as the foundation upon which societies are built.
Responding to questions from journalists, he warned that the weakening of family structures poses a direct threat to social cohesion and national development.
“It is on the shoulders of family that societies are built, and so if that foundation collapses, the whole society gets disintegrated,” he said.
The Speaker cited globalization, changing social norms, demanding work schedules, modern educational systems and economic pressures as factors contributing to the erosion of family values across the continent.
He emphasized the need for African leaders to reassess policies and societal priorities in order to restore what he termed the “lost glory” of the family institution.
Concerns Over Cultural Identity and Sovereignty
Mr. Bagbin argued that Africa is increasingly confronted with external influences that challenge long-held cultural traditions and social norms.
He noted that many African children are losing touch with their native languages and cultural heritage, while broader debates surrounding identity and social values continue to shape public discourse across the continent.
According to him, these developments require a collective African response.
“This conference is not merely a meeting. It is a declaration,” he said. “A declaration that Africa will no longer sit and remain aloof or stand in silence. A declaration that we shall reclaim and protect our values, not in isolation but in dignified unity.”
The Speaker also raised concerns about growing divisions among African nations and peoples, urging greater continental solidarity in addressing common challenges.
Draft African Charter Expected
One of the major expected outcomes of the conference is the completion of the Draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values, a document developed through a series of inter-parliamentary conferences held in Uganda between 2023 and 2025.
Mr. Bagbin described the proposed charter as a collective statement by African leaders and parliamentarians aimed at protecting family institutions, safeguarding cultural identity and defending national sovereignty.
He compared the significance of the proposed charter to historic governance documents, including the 13th-century Mande Charter of the Mali Empire, which is often regarded as one of Africa’s earliest declarations of rights and governance principles.
The conference, he said, is expected to adopt resolutions that will encourage African governments and legislatures to enact policies and legal frameworks that reinforce family values and cultural traditions while strengthening national sovereignty.
Ghana Ready for Delegates
Mr. Bagbin expressed confidence in Ghana’s preparedness to host the continental gathering, announcing that all logistical arrangements had been completed.
He further disclosed that Parliament would suspend sittings during the conference period to allow the parliamentary chamber and other facilities to be used for the event.
Beyond the formal sessions, delegates will visit selected historical and heritage sites across Ghana to deepen their appreciation of the country’s role in Africa’s liberation struggles and democratic development.
The tours, according to the Speaker, are intended to showcase Ghana’s rich history and tourism potential while highlighting the continent’s enduring contribution to global civilization and development.
He called on the media, stakeholders and the wider public to support the conference and contribute to discussions on preserving the values that continue to shape African societies.
“We expect this conference to produce strong resolutions and renewed continental commitment towards policies and legislative frameworks that will protect the integrity of the family, uphold national sovereignty and preserve the moral and cultural foundations of our society,” he said.
The conference is expected to conclude on June 6 with the adoption of recommendations aimed at guiding future legislative and policy actions across participating African countries.
By: Christian Kpesese
