Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has described the family as the foundation of sovereignty and nation-building, urging African leaders to place family-centred policies at the heart of governance and development.
Speaking at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values in Accra on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin said the strength of any nation is directly linked to the strength of its families.
He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved if family structures continue to weaken under economic and social pressures.
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Addressing delegates of Parliamentary speakers and legislators from more than 20 African countries, the Speaker argued that sovereignty begins long before political institutions and national borders.
“True sovereignty does not begin at our national borders or within legislative chambers. It is born, nurtured, and sustained in the family, the smallest unit of governance on earth,” he stated.
According to Mr. Bagbin, African societies have historically relied on strong family networks to provide social protection, transmit cultural values, and support vulnerable members of society.
He noted that, unlike many Western societies where social welfare is largely state-driven, the African family continues to serve as an extended support system involving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and entire communities.
The Speaker warned that economic hardship, migration, unemployment, and cultural influences from outside the continent are placing increasing strain on family structures across Africa.
The weakening of families, he said, ultimately threatens national stability, social cohesion, and development.
Mr. Bagbin, therefore, called on governments and lawmakers to move beyond rhetoric and adopt practical interventions aimed at strengthening families.
These, he said, should include increased investment in affordable housing, child welfare programmes, maternal healthcare, education, and support for households caring for elderly relatives.
He also urged African parliaments to enact legislation that protects women, children, widows, and other vulnerable groups while preserving the continent’s cultural heritage.
The Speaker emphasized that protecting family values should not be interpreted as opposition to human rights, noting that African traditions are rooted in dignity, compassion, and community responsibility.
He advocated the adoption of an African Family Values Charter to provide a common framework for protecting families and reinforcing the sovereignty of African nations.
According to him, the proposed charter would complement the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and support efforts to build a continent grounded in shared values and cultural confidence.
Mr. Bagbin called for stronger collaboration among African legislatures through regional parliamentary bodies, including the Pan-African Parliament and ECOWAS Parliament, to advance common positions on issues affecting the continent.
He expressed confidence that a united approach would strengthen Africa’s voice globally and help protect its interests in an increasingly interconnected world.
The conference brought together lawmakers, traditional leaders, faith-based organizations, and policy experts to deliberate on the future of family values, sovereignty, and cultural identity in Africa.