Accra Summit Must Shift From Rhetoric to Action – 2nd Deputy Speaker to Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values

Delegates attending the Fourth Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values have been urged to focus on building consensus and practical commitments rather than delivering speeches, as African lawmakers gather in Accra to finalize a landmark continental charter on family values and sovereignty.
The call was made by the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, during his welcome address at the opening of the three-day conference.
Addressing more than 300 delegates from 30 African countries, Hon. Asiamah Amoako described the conference as a defining moment in Africa’s efforts to develop legislative frameworks that reflect the continent’s cultural identity, family systems and sovereign interests.
He stressed that the gathering was intended to produce tangible outcomes rather than mere declarations.
“This conference is not about speeches. It is about consensus, partnerships and commitment. We are here to refine, validate and elevate the Draft Charter so it genuinely reflects our shared African responsibilities,” he stated.
The conference is expected to conclude discussions on the Draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values, the product of a process that began in Uganda in 2023 and has evolved through a series of engagements aimed at strengthening Africa-led approaches to social and governance issues.
Hon. Asiamah Amoako said the charter seeks to place family, culture and sovereignty at the centre of public policy and legislation across the continent.
According to him, strong family systems remain essential to national development and social stability.
“When the family is weakened, the fractures are felt across our schools, our governance systems, public morality and national development,” he said, noting that the proposed charter would provide a framework for protecting those foundational institutions.
He commended Parliament, under the leadership of Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for hosting the conference and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to facilitating an inclusive and credible process capable of producing a charter that can gain broad acceptance across Africa.
The Planning Committee, he added, had worked extensively to coordinate delegates, shape discussions and ensure that deliberations lead to meaningful policy outcomes.
Hon. Asiamah Amoako also highlighted the importance of involving young people in shaping the continent’s future, urging African youth to actively embrace and promote the values under discussion.
“The future will not be built by those who merely inherit values, but by those who understand, live and leverage them to elevate society. That is why youth are central to this Charter, not peripheral,” he said.
Also addressing the conference, the Speaker of Morocco’s House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, underscored the need for African nations to adopt the proposed charter, describing it as an important step towards protecting the continent’s cultural heritage and strengthening family institutions.
He called for greater collaboration among African legislatures in developing policies that reflect the realities and aspirations of their people, while safeguarding national sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected world.
The conference, which runs until June 5, is expected to deliberate on issues including family policy, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, governance and legislative sovereignty.
Delegates are expected to adopt recommendations that will advance the Draft African Charter and provide a common framework for lawmakers seeking to strengthen family values and preserve Africa’s cultural identity across the continent.