9th Parliament: Bernard Ahiafor and Andrew Asiamah elected 1st and 2nd Deputy Speakers

Bernard Ahiafor, Member of Parliament for Akatsi South, has been elected as the 1st Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament. His nomination, presented by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader.

Andrew Amoako Asiamah, MP for Fomena, was also re-elected as the 2nd Deputy Speaker, a role he has held since January 2021.

Ahiafor, a seasoned legislator from the Volta Region, has represented Akatsi South since 2013. A practicing lawyer, he is recognised for his deep expertise in legal affairs and parliamentary procedures. He has contributed significantly to key committees, including the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. His extensive experience is expected to bolster his effectiveness as 1st Deputy Speaker.

The election of deputy speakers followed the inauguration of the 9th Parliament on January 7, 2025, at Parliament House in Accra. The session also saw the unanimous reelection of Alban Bagbin as Speaker.

Bernard Ahiafor, born on February 6, 1973, is a Ghanaian politician and Member of Parliament (MP) representing Akatsi South in the Volta Region under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). A native of Atidzive, he completed his O-Levels at Abor Senior High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana. Ahiafor is a Christian.

His political career began in 2012 when he contested the Akatsi South by-election following the appointment of Edward Doe Adjaho as Speaker of Parliament. Ahiafor won the seat with 12,079 votes. In the 2016 general election, he was re-elected with 16,916 votes (56.34%), defeating candidates from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other parties.

Ahiafor secured a decisive victory in the 2020 elections, winning 31,624 votes (83.71%). His closest contender, Leo-Nelson Adzigdogah of the NPP, received 5,550 votes (14.69%).

Ahiafor has served in Ghana’s 6th, 7th, and 8th Parliaments, consistently representing Akatsi South and playing an active role in parliamentary affairs.