The Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, reflected on the recent official visit of the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire. The visit highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the importance of fostering stronger diplomatic and parliamentary relations.
The visit, which was part of the first ordinary session of the year for the Ivorian National Assembly, was at the invitation of President Adama Bictogo. During the session, Speaker Bagbin addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration between the legislatures of the two nations. “Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire share deep historical, cultural, and economic bonds. Our collaboration as neighbors and as pillars of stability in ECOWAS is critical to the advancement of our shared values and aspirations,” Speaker Bagbin remarked.
Hon. Affo-Toffey on January 28, 2025 described the visit as enriching and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate. She noted that the experience offered valuable insights into the culture and lifestyle of the Ivorian people. “It was a privilege to be part of this delegation, and I must say the experience was truly enlightening,” she stated.
The delegation also engaged with the Ghanaian community residing in Côte d’Ivoire, who warmly welcomed the Speaker and participated in the proceedings of the National Assembly. The interaction provided a platform for the delegation to hear firsthand the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of the diaspora. “The Ghanaian diaspora in Côte d’Ivoire is a resilient and united community. They are not only upholding Ghanaian traditions but also contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their host country,” Hon. Affo-Toffey said.
During the engagement, the Ghanaian community expressed their pride in their heritage and their desire to contribute to Ghana’s development. However, they also raised key concerns requiring urgent attention. Among these was the implementation of the Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL), which has yet to be fully operationalized since its passage in 2006. The community appealed for its implementation to enable Ghanaians abroad to exercise their voting rights.
Another major issue highlighted was the high cost of renewing and replacing Ghanaian passports. The community revealed that fees for passport renewal amount to 80,000 CFA (approximately GHS 1,900), while replacing a lost passport costs 110,000 CFA (approximately GHS 2,600). They urged Parliament to advocate for a review of these fees, which they described as a financial burden.
The community also raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal human trafficking in border communities, commonly referred to as “Q-Net.” They described the alarming trend of individuals being lured to Côte d’Ivoire with false promises of traveling to Europe, only to be coerced into fraudulent activities. The community called for intensified efforts and collaboration between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to address this issue.
Hon. Affo-Toffey concluded her statement by commending the Speaker’s leadership and the hospitality of the Ivorian government. She called on Parliament to prioritize policies that address the concerns of Ghanaians living abroad and harness their potential for national development. “The Ghanaian community in Côte d’Ivoire are invaluable ambassadors of our nation and a vital source of socio-economic support. As representatives of the people, it is our duty to advocate for the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians, both at home and abroad,” she stated.
