Bagbin unanimously re-elected as Speaker of 9th Parliament

Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been re-elected as Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament under the Fourth Republic.

The unanimous decision by Members of Parliament (MPs) during the inauguration of the 9th parliament on January 7, 2025, followed his endorsement for the Speaker role by President-elect John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Majority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson officially nominated Mr. Bagbin for the Speaker role, citing his distinguished career and transformative leadership. In line with Parliamentary Standing Orders 72 and 84, the nomination was submitted with Mr. Bagbin’s written consent and backed by a motion from a member.

“I move that Hon. Alban Bagbin do take the chair of this House as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament,” Dr. Forson stated, highlighting Bagbin’s extensive expertise as a lawyer, politician, and statesman. Dr. Forson underscored Mr. Bagbin’s pivotal contributions to reshaping parliamentary governance.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin seconded the nomination, acknowledging the Speaker’s unparalleled experience and leadership. He praised Mr. Bagbin’s dedication to fostering legislative consensus and his steadfast commitment to fairness and national progress.

However, Mr. Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about the lack of adequate consultation and procedural gaps in Mr. Bagbin’s nomination by President-Elect John Mahama. These objections were dismissed by Clerk of Parliament Ebenezer Djietro as unsubstantial.

Following a brief meeting, the clerk 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 subsequently sworn in by Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, marking another significant milestone in Ghana’s legislative history.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Bagbin conveyed deep gratitude for the trust reposed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering bipartisan cooperation and ensuring fairness in parliamentary proceedings.

Mr. Alban Bagbin began his education at Sombo R.C. Primary and Wa Secondary Schools, followed by Tamale Secondary School, where he earned his Advanced Level Certificate in 1977. He proceeded to the University of Ghana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and English in 1980, and was called to the Bar in 1982.

His professional journey included roles at the Ghana Statistical Service and the State Hotels Corporation before establishing the Law Trust Firm in 1994. Alongside his legal career, Bagbin ventured into politics, becoming the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nadowli Kaleo in 1993, a position he held for 28 years through seven consecutive elections.

During his parliamentary tenure, he served as minority leader and majority leader and chaired key committees such as Public Accounts and Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs. He was also appointed Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing, and later Minister of Health. In 2017, he became the second deputy speaker of Parliament and, in 2021, was elected speaker of the 8th Parliament of Ghana.

Bagbin’s influence extended to international platforms, representing Ghana in organisations like the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and GOPAC. His leadership in governance earned him an honorary Doctor of Law from UPSA in 2017.

Currently, he serves as the president of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments in Africa and is the immediate past president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

He is also a member of the Ghana Bar Association.