Africa must defend values from globalisation, xenophobia — Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called on African countries to unite in defending the continent’s values, culture and sovereignty against the growing threats of globalisation and xenophobia.
That, he said, was because Africa was facing a “dual assault” from the cultural erosion associated with globalisation on one hand and the rise of xenophobia within the continent on the other.
“When African brothers stand against African brothers, when our children no longer speak their own mother tongues, and when alien ideologies are advocated as universal truths, then Africa must speak with one voice,” he said.
Mr Bagbin made the call at a pre-conference press briefing in Accra ahead of the Fourth African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values, scheduled to take place in Accra.
Event
The conference, which commences on June 3, 2026, will be hosted at Parliament House, among other venues.
It is expected to bring together Speakers and Presidents of Parliament, Members of Parliament, policy experts, religious leaders, academics, civil society representatives and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
The conference will focus on key thematic areas, including the protection and strengthening of African values, preservation of cultural identity, youth development and moral leadership, the role of parliaments in safeguarding societal values, and legislative responses to emerging social and ideological issues.
Delegates will also deliberate on the implications of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on family systems, child protection and social cohesion.
Declaration
The Speaker described the conference as more than a gathering of policymakers, saying it was a declaration of Africa’s determination to reclaim, protect and preserve its values.
“This conference is therefore not merely a meeting. It is a declaration that Africa will no longer sit and remain mute or stand in silence. It is a declaration that we shall reclaim, protect and preserve our values, not in isolation, but in dignified unity,” he said.
Mr Bagbin stressed the need for African parliaments and institutions to engage in meaningful dialogue on safeguarding the values that define the continent’s people and societies.
He said the conference was being organised at a time when African family systems, sovereignty and cherished values were being challenged by evolving social, cultural and technological developments.
Mr Bagbin said discussions would explore the need for ethical frameworks, data privacy protections and responsible digital governance to safeguard citizens from harmful digital exploitation while leveraging innovation to advance education, healthcare and economic growth.
He announced that the country was fully prepared to host the event, with significant progress made in accommodation, transportation, security, media coverage, interpretation services and other logistical arrangements.
The Speaker further disclosed that more than 30 countries had officially registered to participate in the conference, with over 300 delegates expected to attend.
African charter
Mr Bagbin expressed confidence that the conference would conclude with a draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values.
“It reflects a determination to protect African families, uphold its cultural identity, and defend its sovereignty in the face of outside threats.
It is expected that the conference will produce strong resolutions and renewed continental commitment towards policies and legislative progress that will take the integrity of the family, uphold national sovereignty, and preserve the moral and cultural foundations of our society,” he explained.
Mr Bagbin also urged the media to support the initiative through balanced and extensive coverage, describing the conference as a historic opportunity to strengthen Africa’s shared values and continental unity.
