Alban Bagbin retained as Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been re-elected as Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament under the Fourth Republic.
The unanimous decision made by Members of Parliament (MPs) during the inauguration on January 7, 2025, highlights their strong confidence in Mr. Bagbin’s leadership and extensive experience.
Renowned for his impartiality and dedication to parliamentary excellence, Mr. Bagbin made history in 2021 as the first Speaker elected from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In his acceptance letter, Mr Bagbin expressed profound gratitude for the trust placed in him, reaffirming his dedication to fostering bipartisan collaboration and ensuring fairness.
Ato Forson highlights Bagbin’s stellar profile
The Majority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, officially nominated Bagbin for the Speaker position, highlighting his distinguished career and transformative leadership.
In accordance with Parliamentary Standing Orders 72 and 84, Mr. Bagbin’s nomination was submitted with written consent and supported by a member’s motion.
Dr Forson praised Mr. Bagbin’s extensive expertise as a lawyer, politician, and statesman, emphasizing his significant role in reshaping parliamentary governance.
Afenyo-Markin backs Bagbin’s nomination
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seconded Mr Bagbin’s nomination, emphasizing the Speaker’s unmatched experience and leadership credentials.
Afenyo-Markin commended Bagbin’s record of fostering legislative consensus and praised his unwavering commitment to fairness and national development.
After a brief discussion, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietro, declared, “With no other nominations for the position of Speaker, I hereby declare Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament.”
Mr Bagbin was then sworn in by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, marking a historic moment in Ghana’s legislative history.
His re-election signifies another milestone in his distinguished career, with high expectations that he will continue to inspire and guide Ghana’s Parliament toward even greater achievements.
Profile
Mr Bagbin’s illustrious journey began at the University of Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law and English in 1980. Called to the bar in 1982, he established the Law Trust Firm in 1994.
Further cementing his leadership credentials,Mr Bagbin pursued postgraduate studies at the Southern African Management Institute and an Executive Master’s in Governance and Leadership at GIMPA.
A Parliamentary Stalwart
Bagbin’s tenure as Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo spanned 28 years, during which he won seven consecutive elections. He held pivotal roles, including Minority Leader, Majority Leader, and Minister of Water Resources and Health. His parliamentary legacy includes chairing key committees and championing reforms focused on gender and social inclusion.
Internationally, Bagbin represented Ghana on global platforms, serving on the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the Global Organization for Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). His contributions earned him an honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, in 2017.
Married with two children, Alban Bagbin remains a trailblazer in Ghanaian politics and governance. His re-election is widely regarded as a testament to his enduring impact on the nation’s democratic journey.