Rabat: The 3rd Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has urged parliamentarians of the Global South to embrace parliamentary diplomacy and interregional dialogue to address global challenges and promote peace, security, and shared development. Speaking at the Third Edition of the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, Morocco, Mr Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in tackling issues like trade protectionism, inflation, youth unemployment, terrorism, and migration.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement issued by Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the Minority Leader in Ghana's Parliament, highlighted the need for building trust by addressing the concerns of the people and reconciling perceptions with facts. He stated, "Dialogue is the foundation for peace." The statement further warned that failing to prioritize structured cooperation could lead to deeper economic instability, noting that rising global tariffs and shrinking supply chains will disproportionately harm Global South economies.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effutu, called for the institutionalization of South-South parliamentary cooperation. He proposed that forums like the Association of Senates, Shuras and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA) be utilized to dispel misunderstandings, foster solidarity, and transform people's aspirations into legislative action.
The forum, themed "Interregional and Intercontinental Dialogues in the Global South: A Vital Lever to Address New Challenges of International Cooperation and Achieve Peace, Security, Stability, and Shared Development," gathered parliamentary leaders from across continents to explore frameworks for joint legislative action and development partnerships. It underscored the ECOWAS Parliament's commitment to deepening inter-parliamentary collaboration and shaping global dialogue on peace and development from a West African perspective.