New Chapter, familiar leaders: As Bagbin returns as Speaker of Ninth Parliament
Ghana ushered in the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic in the early hours of Tuesday, marked by the swearing-in of Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin as Speaker.
Speaker Bagbin’s re-election solidifies his position as a key figure in Ghana’s parliamentary history, having previously served as Speaker of the Eighth Parliament.
The Ninth Parliament sees the National Democratic Congress (NDC) holding the majority with 183 members, compared to 88 members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Interestingly, Cassiel Ato Forson, the former Minority Leader during the Eighth Parliament, now serves as Majority Leader, while Alexander Afenyo-Markin, formerly the Majority Leader, assumes the role of Minority Leader.
Profile of Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is a distinguished statesman, lawyer a seasoned politician. With over four decades of experience in governance, law, and public service Bagbin’s leadership journey has been marked by significant achievements in Ghana's political landscape.
Early life and education
Born on September 24, 1957, in Sombo, Upper West Region, Bagbin is the fourth of nine children of Sansunni Bagbin and Margaret B. Bagbin, both peasant farmers. He had his secondary education at Wa Secondary School and Tamale Secondary School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and English from the University of Ghana in 1980 and later attended the Ghana School of Law where he was called to the Bar in 1982. Bagbin also holds an Executive Master’s degree in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Professional career
Bagbin’s career began at the Bureau of Statistics and Statistical Service where he served as Acting Secretary to the Statistical Service Board (1980–1982). He later worked as Personnel Manager of the State Hotels Corporation and taught English in Libya before returning to Ghana in 1986 to practice law at Akyem Chambers. In 1993, he co-founded Law Trust Company, a legal firm where he remains a partner.
Political career
Bagbin’s political journey began in 1992 when he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nadowli West Constituency on the ticket of the NDC. Over the years, he held several prominent roles, including:
• Majority Leader (2009–2010)
• Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (2010–2012)
• Minister for Health (2012–2013)
• Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament (2017–2021)
In 2021, Bagbin made history as the first opposition candidate to be elected Speaker of Parliament in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. His tenure as Speaker of the Eighth Parliament was marked by bold decisions, including his controversial declaration of parliamentary seats held by defecting MPs as vacant.
Elections and achievements
Bagbin represented the Nadowli West Constituency across seven consecutive parliaments, winning elections in 1992, 1996, 2000, and beyond. His political acumen and dedication to public service have earned him respect across party lines.
Personal life
Bagbin is married to Alice Adjua Yornas Bagbin, a Programme Officer at UNICEF Ghana. A devout Roman Catholic, he is known for his humility and commitment to both family and faith.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson new Majority Leader
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, has officially taken on the role of Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament. Born on August 5, 1978, at Ajumako Bisease in the Central Region, he brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this critical leadership position.
A man of many talents, Dr Forson is an economist, chartered accountant, tax professional, and entrepreneur, with over two decades of experience spanning the private and public sectors. His academic credentials are as impressive as his professional career. Recently awarded a doctorate in Business and Management (Finance) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Forson also holds a Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Oxford, a Master of Science in Economics from KNUST, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from London South Bank University.
As a chartered accountant, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana. His professional career in public service is distinguished by several high-level appointments. He served as Deputy Minister for Finance from April 2013 to January 2017, during which he was a member of Ghana’s Economic Management Team, a Board Director of the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Cocoa Board, and Ghana’s Alternate Governor at both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Notably, Dr Forson chaired the committee responsible for implementing the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), a key reform in public financial management.
Dr Forson entered politics in 2008 when he was elected as Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his constituents, focusing on initiatives in quality education, health care, job creation and poverty alleviation. As the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, he has consistently championed efforts to protect the public purse, leading opposition to contentious policies such as the electronic transactions levy (E-Levy) and the Agyapa Royalties deal.
A staunch advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability, Dr Forson’s contributions extend far beyond his constituency. His leadership style, expertise and dedication to national service have earned him widespread respect across Ghana, particularly in the Central Region.
He is a Christian and married with two children.
As of the time of going to press, Dr Forson has been nominated as the Minister for Finance designate. What this means is that a new Majority Leader will be appointed in the coming days.
Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin is Minority Leader
Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin is a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor Advocate of the Superior Courts of Ghana. Born on May 27, 1978, at Winneba in the Central Region, he has risen to prominence in both law and politics, serving as a key figure in Ghana’s Parliament.
Political career
Alexander Afenyo-Markin began his political journey at the grassroots level, serving as an Assemblyman and later as the Presiding Member of the Effutu Municipal Assembly. His dedication to public service led to his election as the Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency in 2012, a position he successfully retained in subsequent elections.
Until February 2024, he served as the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament. Following a reshuffle by President Nana Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership, he was elevated to Majority Leader. Currently, he serves as the Minority Leader in the Ninth Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
In Parliament, Afenyo-Markin has made significant contributions through his work on key committees, including Finance, Defence and Interior, and Public Accounts. Additionally, he represents Ghana on the ECOWAS Parliament Delegation, reflecting his interest in international politics, particularly foreign policy and its impact on national development.
Legal expertise
Afenyo-Markin is a seasoned legal practitioner with expertise in Financial Crime, Security, Human Rights, and Constitutional Law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Buckingham University, UK, and a Master of Arts in International Politics and Security Studies from Bradford University, UK. He qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from the Ghana School of Law and was subsequently called to the Ghana Bar.
He is an Associate Partner at Dehyena Chambers, where he continues to maintain an active legal practice. He is also affiliated with several prestigious legal and anti-fraud organisations, including the International Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Young Fraud Lawyers Association (UK), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the world’s largest anti-fraud organisation.
Academic and professional contributions
Beyond his political and legal careers, Afenyo-Markin is passionate about education and mentorship. He is a part-time lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), where he teaches Contract Negotiations at the postgraduate level. His insights are sought after at various national and international forums, where he delivers speeches on topics ranging from governance to financial crime and public policy.
Personal life
Alexander Afenyo-Markin is married to Dianne Markin, and they have children together. Outside his professional commitments, he enjoys playing golf and table tennis, balancing his demanding career with leisure and family life.
With his dynamic blend of legal acumen, political leadership, and academic contributions, Afenyo-Markin remains a key figure in Ghana’s political and legal landscape, dedicated to driving progress and fostering development at both local and national levels.