The Ninth Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic has been formally launched, signaling the start of a fresh legislative term.
This momentous occasion occurred on the morning of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Parliament House located in Accra, following the midnight dissolution of the previous 8th Parliament.
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was re-elected as Speaker of Parliament, took his oath of office from the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. Having previously held the position during the 8th Parliament, Bagbin received his nomination from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and gained substantial backing from the Members of Parliament.
His return to the position signifies a crucial chapter in the nation’s democratic progress, as he utilizes his vast experience to guide the Parliament. After taking his oath, Bagbin oversaw the ceremony where the 275 newly elected Members of Parliament, except for the representative from Ablekuma North, took their oaths.
The oath-taking ceremony saw the presence of relatives, friends, and esteemed guests, heralding the dawn of a new legislative phase. This significant event for Ghana’s Parliament highlights the altered political scene following the general elections of 2024.
With the NDC achieving a majority in the 2024 parliamentary elections, securing 183 out of 276 seats, the party has maintained its leadership structure for the new Parliament. The leadership team of the NDC 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)
Although the swearing-in was conducted smoothly, the occasion was overshadowed by a legal dispute concerning the Akwatia parliamentary seat. A high court in Koforidua upheld a legal restriction preventing Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Akwatia, from being recognized as the Member of Parliament-elect. The ruling also prohibited the Clerk of Parliament from administering his oath.
This legal issue surfaced after the candidate from the NDC, Henry Boakye Yiadom, lodged a complaint against the Electoral Commission, Ernest Kumi, and the Clerk of Parliament, citing discrepancies in the elections held on December 7, 2024. The court issued the injunction on January 2, 2025, which consequently delayed Kumi’s swearing-in.
NPP lawyer, Gary Nimako Marfo, argued that the injunction was improperly filed and requested the court to dismiss the case, stating that election results can only be contested within a 21-day window after they are published. Despite the arguments put forth by the NPP, the injunction remains effective until further legal reviews.
Following the court’s decision, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin indicated that Ernest Kumi was prepared to go through the swearing-in process and participate in the election of the Speaker, even if it bore potential legal repercussions.
Nonetheless, Clerk Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror stressed that permitting Kumi to take part in the swearing-in would contravene the court’s ruling.
