In a thought-provoking address, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. S.K. Bagbin emphasized the need for West African nations to overcome language barriers that have hindered socioeconomic growth in the region. He stressed that linguistic diversity, while culturally enriching, often poses challenges to effective communication and collaboration among member states.
“Language should be a bridge, not a barrier,” Speaker Bagbin emphasized, calling for urgent and collective action to address this issue. He made these remarks during a courtesy call from the Heads of National Boundary Commissions of West Africa, led by Major General Emmanuel Kotia, Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission.
The visit aimed to establish mechanisms for better articulation of border governance strategies within the ECOWAS Region. Speaker Bagbin highlighted the importance of accurate representation of Africa’s size and its countries, emphasizing that some are larger than Europe.
He expressed support for the commission’s work and assured them of Parliament’s commitment to legislation that facilitates their efforts. The meeting marked a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by language barriers and promoting broader collaboration and partnership in the region.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
