Pan-African Parliament joins anti-corruption parliamentary forum in Benin

The First Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Prof. Massouda Mohamed Laghdaf is representing the PAP in Cotonou, Benin where she is taking part in the 8th Biennial General Meeting on anti-corruption, organized by the African Parliamentarians’ Network Against Corruption (APNAC).

The four-day anti- corruption conference is held under the theme: “Creating Synergies for an Efficient Fight against Corruption-the Role of Parliament and Parliamentarians.” The gathering in Cotonou centers around various issues including achievements, challenges and lessons learned in the fight against corruption by regional and national chapters giving reports on corruption fights in their respective countries and sharing knowledge and experience.

In her remarks, on behalf of the President of the PAP, Hon. Prof. Laghdaf described corruption as an obstacle to development in Africa. She called on Parliamentarians to use their oversight and control powers over governmental actions intensify the fight against corruption. Hon.Prof. Laghdaf further to pledged the PAP’s resolve to continue working with the different stakeholders to promote transparency and good governance.

“For its part, the Pan-African Parliament pledged to work more closely with the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption to eliminate this phenomenon by constantly including issues related to the fight against corruption in its agenda. These actions lead to periodic annual meetings that bring together all the organs of the PAP to discuss anti-corruption measures in Africa,” said Hon. Prof. Laghdaf.

The APNAC is an organization which aims to coordinate, involve and strengthen the capacities of African parliamentarians to fight corruption and promote good governance. Since its formation in 1999 in Kampala, Uganda, APNAC has promoted accountability, transparency, and public participation in the processes of government, as the best ways to control corruption. APNAC’s mandate is promoted by its presence throughout the Eastern, Southern, and Western regions of Africa, via its National Chapters, and by working with other anti-corruption bodies worldwide.

As the supreme parliamentary assembly on the continent, the PAP was invited to actively participate in the conference in line with its mandate to encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in the Member States, while facilitating cooperation among Regional Economic Communities and their Parliamentary fora.

APNAC’s 8th Biennial General Meeting will include the elections of new members of the APNAC Board as the meeting brings together the different national sections, countries or regions without national sections, as well as strategic partners, in order to forge a path toward the strengthening and institutionalization of the Network.

Source: Mr. Jeffrey Onganga, Media Officer, Pan-African Parliament