Ghana’s 9th Parliament Inaugurated Amid Legal Drama Over Akwatia Seat
New Legislative Era Begins as Speaker Bagbin Retains Leadership, NDC Secures Majority
- Alban Bagbin retains the Speaker’s role with strong NDC backing
- The NDC secured 183 out of 276 parliamentary seats in the 2024 elections
- Legal challenge prevents Ernest Kumi’s swearing-in due to election irregularities
Ghana’s 9th Parliament under the Fourth Republic has been officially inaugurated, ushering in a new legislative chapter.
The historic ceremony took place on January 7, 2025, at Parliament House in Accra, following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament at midnight. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin was sworn in as Speaker by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Bagbin, re-nominated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured overwhelming parliamentary support, continuing his leadership from the previous term.
Bagbin later administered the oath of office to 275 Members of Parliament-elect, excluding the Ablekuma North representative. The event, attended by dignitaries, family members, and friends, signaled the beginning of a new legislative era shaped by the NDC’s parliamentary majority of 183 seats.
The swearing-in was clouded by a legal battle over the Akwatia seat. A court injunction prevented the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Ernest Kumi, from participating in the ceremony, citing irregularities in the December 2024 elections. Despite the NPP’s objections, the injunction remains, pending further hearings.
The new NDC leadership team includes:
- Majority Leader: Cassiel Ato Forson
- Deputy Majority Leader: Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
- Majority Chief Whip: Governs Kwame Agbodza
- Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Ahmed Ibrahim
As the 9th Parliament takes shape, this moment marks a critical milestone in Ghana’s democratic journey, set against the backdrop of political and legal contention.
