Ghana’s presence on the continental stage has been significantly strengthened following the election of Korle Klottey Member of Parliament, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, as 2nd Deputy President of the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Ghanaian lawmaker secured a commanding victory, polling 131 votes against 51 in an election held during the Parliament’s Extraordinary Session in Midrand.
Her elevation places her among the top leadership of the continental legislative body, in a role equivalent to a Second Deputy Speaker. With this achievement, she becomes the first female representative of the West African Caucus to occupy the position in the history of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Pan-African Parliament, the legislative arm of the African Union, plays a central role in promoting democracy, good governance, and policy coordination across member states, bringing together lawmakers from across Africa to deliberate on issues of continental importance.
Background to the Election
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ victory comes at a pivotal moment as the Parliament convenes its Extraordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature in Johannesburg from April 28 to 30, 2026, to elect a new leadership Bureau.
The elections follow the expiration of the mandate of the Sixth Bureau in February 2026, requiring the selection of a new leadership team made up of a President and four Vice-Presidents representing Africa’s five regions.
The Bureau serves as the governing authority of the Parliament, providing strategic direction and overseeing its administration and operations, with the process guided by African Union principles to ensure regional balance and transparency.
Growing Continental Profile
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, a medical doctor and three-term legislator, joined Ghana’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament in 2025, reflecting her growing role in continental governance.
Her work spans security, governance, and humanitarian advocacy, and she currently chairs the Security and Intelligence Committee in Ghana’s Parliament.
Her emphatic election is being viewed as a major milestone for Ghana’s diplomatic influence and for female representation in African parliamentary leadership, further positioning the country as an active voice in shaping the continent’s legislative agenda.
By: Christian Kpesese
