Pan-African Parliament President Chief Fortune Charumbira Urges Business to Engage Legislature on Continental Development
tendai keith guvamombe
Pan-African Parliament (PAP) President Chief Fortune Charumbira has issued a strong call for the African Business Community to cease their sole focus on the Executive arm of government and instead actively engage with the continent’s legislative bodies.
Speaking at a Strategic Mining Summit held in Harare on Wednesday, attended by key figures like South Africa’s Ambassador Brigettee Motsepe and business entities such as the Vuka Group, the President underscored that the state is composed of three essential arms: the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature—the Parliament.“Parliaments are the voices of the People which business personnels should always engage,” Charumbira asserted.
He challenged the notion of a business community that ‘cries’ over policy decisions yet fails to leverage the representatives they voted into office.
The Pan-African Parliament, formed in 2004, was specifically created by the African Union (AU) to ensure citizens’ participation and socioeconomic development, addressing a deficit where Heads of State previously engaged in isolation.
Charumbira highlighted that for critical issues like mining, the PAP is the “rightful Platform” for a continental voice.
He extended an invitation to the business community to partner with the PAP to propose a Continental Mining Indaba anywhere in Africa.
The recommendations or resolutions resulting from such engagements would then be presented directly to the AU Heads of States.
With each country sending five experienced representatives—many being former ministers—the quality of debate at the PAP is guaranteed to be high in tackling citizens’ voices.
Since its formation, the PAP has produced six continental leaders, demonstrating its growing influence.
The President proudly cited the PAP’s role in initiating the removal of sanctions on Sudan as proof of its capacity to cause change.
“Please use this platform; it is yours to achieve results at continental and national level,” he concluded, positioning the PAP as the strategic partner for continental progress and integration.
