9th Parliament officially inaugurated

The 9th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic was officially inaugurated in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Parliament House in Accra.

This marked the beginning of a new legislative session, following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament at midnight.

Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was re-elected as Speaker of Parliament, was sworn in by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Bagbin, having previously served as Speaker during the 8th Parliament, was re-nominated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and received overwhelming support from Members of Parliament.

His re-election highlights his pivotal role in Ghana’s legislative framework, as he brings extensive experience to the position. After his swearing-in, Bagbin presided over the oath-taking ceremony for 275 Members of Parliament-elect, excluding the representative from the Ablekuma North constituency.

The swearing-in ceremony, attended by family members, friends, and dignitaries, symbolized the beginning of a new chapter for Ghana’s Parliament. It also reflected the country’s evolving political landscape following the 2024 general elections.

With the NDC winning a majority of 183 seats out of 276, the party maintained its leadership in Parliament. The NDC leadership team for the 9th Parliament includes Cassiel Ato Forson as Majority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as Deputy Majority Leader, Governs Kwame Agbodza as Majority Chief Whip, and Ahmed Ibrahim as Deputy Majority Chief Whip.

However, the event was not without controversy. A legal dispute surrounding the Akwatia parliamentary seat cast a shadow over the proceedings. The Koforidua High Court had issued an injunction on January 2, 2025, barring Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate for Akwatia, from being sworn in as a Member of Parliament-elect. The injunction also prevented the Clerk of Parliament from administering the oath to Kumi.

The injunction followed a petition by the NDC candidate, Henry Boakye Yiadom, against the Electoral Commission, Ernest Kumi, and the Clerk of Parliament. The petition cited irregularities in the December 7, 2024, elections. NPP counsel Gary Nimako Marfo argued that the injunction was improperly filed, asserting that election results can only be challenged within 21 days of being gazetted. Despite the NPP’s objections, the court upheld the injunction, delaying Kumi’s participation in the swearing-in process.

In response to the ruling, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated that Kumi was prepared to participate in the swearing-in and the subsequent Speaker election, even at the risk of legal consequences. However, Clerk Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror clarified that allowing Kumi to take part would violate the court’s directive.

Despite the legal hurdles, the inauguration of the 9th Parliament marked the continuation of Ghana’s democratic journey, with the NDC poised to leverage its majority to shape the legislative agenda under the leadership of Speaker Bagbin.