The speaker of Parliament, Right Honorable Catherine Gotani Hara has been elected Executive Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African region.
The development comes when 14 Members of Parliament are in Sierra Leone participating the 52nd CPA region conference themed at evolving and adopting new strategies for increased women participation in politics.
The Speaker was elected on Monday, 6th June 2022 in the Chambers of Sierra Leone in their capital Sierra Leone for a term of 3years from the year 2022 to 2025.
Speaker of Parliament Right Honourable Catherine Gotani Hara, MP has described her election as a demonstration of the recognition the Parliament of Malawi is getting from the region and the world as a whole.
“To be entrusted with the position of Executive Chairperson of this Association is but a great event in my life. It is a historical moment in the life of our Parliament and I believe a it is a new chapter in the literature of the CPA Africa Region,” observed the Speaker.
The Executive Committee which consists of 43 Members has Constitution powers of the CPA Africa Region to manage and control the activities and business of the Association.
“I would like to that you all for entrusting me with this very important position. I will work hard to make your expectations a reality as I perform the functions of this position,” promised the Speaker in her acceptance speech.
She thanked Members of CPA Malawi Chapter Hon Raymond Nkhata MP, Hon Grace, Kwelepeta, Hon Abdul Karim and Hon Benedicto Chambo, Hon Patrick Bandawe “and also many others for their relentless efforts in the election process. Without them the story would have been different.”
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association – African Region’s 52nd Conference was held under the theme “The Role of African Parliaments in Building Inclusive Society to Counter growing Insecurity in Africa.”
Through the theme, the conference, among other issues, came up with resolutions drawn from lessons learnt from COVID-19 that are expected to help Parliaments in the Region to build foundations to tackle future pandemic; agreed on strategies that are expected to increase Parliamentary visibility; and also passed resolutions aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics.
The CPA Africa Region is part of the CPA International Organisation comprised of African countries that were formally under the British rule, with limited exceptions. The CPA Africa Region membership comprises of 63 national and subnational legislatures.
The Mission of the CPA Africa Region is to promote and protect the interests and perspective of CPA Africa Regional Parliaments and countries, into the Commonwealth and beyond, and to promote gender equality, emancipation of women. And respect for human rights, freedoms, democracy and good governance.
More details to follow on
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