Ghana’s 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic was officially inaugurated on Tuesday (7 January 2025), marking the start of a new legislative session.
The historic ceremony, held at Parliament House in Accra, followed the dissolution of the 8th Parliament at midnight.
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the re-elected Speaker of Parliament, was sworn into office by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Bagbin, who served as Speaker of the 8th Parliament, was re-nominated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and received broad support from Members of Parliament.
His re-election cements his role as a key figure in Ghana’s democratic journey, bringing decades of parliamentary experience to the leadership of the House.
Following his swearing-in, Speaker Bagbin presided over the oath-taking ceremony for 275 Members of Parliament-elect. However, the Ablekuma North constituency remains unrepresented due to unresolved election matters.
The swearing-in ceremony, attended by dignitaries, family members, and friends, symbolized a fresh political landscape shaped by the 2024 general elections.
The NDC emerged as the majority party, securing 183 of the 276 parliamentary seats. The party’s leadership team for the 9th Parliament includes:
Majority Leader: Cassiel Ato Forson (MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam)
Deputy Majority Leader: Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP for Ellembelle)
Majority Chief Whip: Governs Kwame Agbodza (MP for Adaklu)
Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Ahmed Ibrahim (MP for Banda)
While the inauguration proceeded smoothly, a legal dispute over the Akwatia parliamentary seat cast a shadow on the event.
- Minority Leader: Alexander Afenyo-Markin (MP for Efutu)
- Deputy Minority Leader: Patricia Appiagyei, (MP for Asokwa)
- Minority Chief Whip:, Frank Annoh-Dompreh (MP for Nsawam- Adoagyiri)
- First Deputy Minority Chief Whip: Hon Habib Idrissu (MP for Tolon,)
- Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip Hon Jerry Ahmed Shaib (MP for Weija-Gbawe)
The Koforidua High Court upheld an injunction barring Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Akwatia, from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament-elect.
The injunction also prohibited the Clerk of Parliament from administering the oath to Kumi.
The legal challenge was initiated by the NDC’s candidate for Akwatia, Henry Boakye Yiadom, who alleged irregularities in the 7 December elections. The court granted the injunction on 2 January 2025, pending further hearings.
NPP lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo argued that the petition was improperly filed, asserting that election results can only be contested within 21 days of being gazetted. Despite these claims, the court’s injunction remains in effect.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin revealed that Ernest Kumi was prepared to face legal consequences if allowed to participate in the swearing-in and subsequent Speaker election.
However, Clerk Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror firmly stated that proceeding with Kumi’s participation would violate the court order.
