Hon Chairperson, hon members, the establishment of the PAP in March 2004 to discuss and take decisions on the challenges plaguing the African continent is a milestone worth celebrating. It allows the people of Africa, of all races, to solve Africa's problems the African way.
However, since its establishment, the PAP has enjoyed only consultative and advisory powers. This has led many to argue that if the status quo remains, the PAP runs the risk of becoming just another glorified talk shop. Therefore, it is time that the PAP became an institution with full legislative powers. Law-making powers are important if it is to achieve its objectives of facilitating the implementation of the policies and the objectives of the African. These objectives include promoting the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa.
More significantly, it needs legislative powers to enable it to develop a system of rules and regulations that African countries would recognise, enforceable through social institutions to govern behaviour. This is, without doubt, the most essential way in which the PAP can contribute to the bid to advance peace and stability and halt the malaise of poverty, hunger and underdevelopment in Africa.