"The time is ripe for Ghana and Switzerland to transition their diplomatic ties to a level that will guarantee the exchange of expertise in statecraft and governance", the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has said.

As a budding democracy, he noted that there was a lot for Ghana to learn from the Swiss to help deepen our diplomatic credentials and deliver the needed development to the people.

Ghana he said, is making significant strides in advancing its governance to address the core needs of its citizens.

The Speaker further raised concerns over the small number of women representation in Ghana’s Parliament and said a lot needs to be done to address the challenge of low women representation in Ghana’s governance structure especially as the country remains committed to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals(SGDs).

Speaker Bagbin stressed that these efforts, are an important feat that will add up to the country’s already attained feat in advancing democracy in Africa.

The Speaker made this call when the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana Philip Stalder paid a courtesy call on him in Parliament.

On his part, Ambassador Philip Stalder emphasised that Switzerland’s strategy process for sub-Saharan Africa ties in with its foreign policy vision and assured the Speaker of working together with the Parliament of Ghana to develop new areas of co-operation.

Ambassador Stalder commended the parliament of Ghana for the critical role it continues to play in advancing parliamentary diplomacy on the global level.

The Special Advisor to the Speaker Hon. Kofi Attor also urged the Swiss Envoy to pay special attention to building mutually beneficial relations with the various governance institutions.