John Mahama Urges NDC Leadership to Nominate Alban Bagbin as Speaker for 9th Parliament
President-elect John Dramani Mahama has called on the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament to renominate the current Speaker, Alban Bagbin, for the position of Speaker in the incoming 9th Parliament.
This recommendation was communicated in a press release issued by Mr. Mahama’s office and signed by his special aide, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The statement noted that Mr. Mahama, after consulting with the national executive and parliamentary leadership of the NDC, concluded that Mr. Bagbin’s extensive experience makes him well-suited to continue in his role.
“With his unmatched expertise and leadership skills, Mr. Bagbin remains the ideal candidate to preside over the affairs of the new Parliament,” the statement emphasized.
The dissolution of the current 8th Parliament is scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2025, after which the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers for the 9th Parliament will take place.
Alban Bagbin, a seasoned politician and the first Speaker to emerge from an opposition party in Ghana’s parliamentary history, has been widely recognized for his impartiality and professionalism during his tenure.
His reappointment would mark a continued chapter of significant parliamentary leadership under the NDC.
Profile of the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
1. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Bagbin attended the Sombo R. C. Primary and the Wa Secondary Schools in the Upper West Region and proceeded to the Tamale Secondary School in the Northern Region where he obtained his Advanced Level Certificate in 1977.
2. He gained admission to the University of Ghana School of Law and graduated in 1980 with a Degree in Law and English. He enrolled at the Ghana Law School and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1982.
3. He holds a Certificate in Privatization in Public Utilities and Infrastructure from the Eastern South Africa Management Institute (ESAMI), Tanzania, and an Executive Master’s Degree in Governance and Leadership from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 2008.
4. Rt. Hon. Bagbin earlier worked with the antecedent of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) as Assistant Administrative Officer and acting Secretary to the Board. Having joined the Akyem Chambers earlier, he continued with his legal practice whilst at GSS. He was later employed by the erstwhile State Hotels Corporation as Personnel Manager before leaving for Libya to teach English. He returned in 1986 and between 1989 and 1992, he was the external solicitor for a number of Banks, Industries, Stools, and other clients.
5. Later, he established a private Law Firm, the Law Trust Company, together with two partners. He was the Managing Partner.
6. The Speaker was elected MP in 1992 and sworn into Parliament in January 1993. He chaired various committees of Parliament, including the Public Accounts Committee, Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, and House Committee.
7. Sometime in late December 2000, he was appointed by then-NDC leadership to be its Minority Leader in Parliament. In this role, he distinguished himself. In January 2009, he was again appointed this time as the Majority Leader.
8. He was later brought into the Executive to serve as the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, and also as Minister for Health. He also worked as an adviser in the Office of the President.
9. He was returned to Parliament leadership once more as the indefatigable Majority Leader. Again, he distinguished himself.
10. In January 2017, as the record 7th Term MP for Nadowli, he was elected as the 2nd Deputy Speaker to serve under the Speakership of Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye Snr., in the 7th Parliament.
11. Speaker Bagbin has served on a number of Boards and international organizations including the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Group (ACP), the European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly (EUJPA), the International Council for Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), and the Global Organization for Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). He served on the Governing Board of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA), the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the National Media Commission (NMC), and the Legal Aid Board.
12. He was eventually elected as Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana. He has been in Parliament from January 1993 to January 2021 as MP for Nadowli and from January 2021 to January 2025 as the substantive Speaker.
13. He is the immediate past President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and also the President of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments in Africa.
14. He has been a Member of the Ghana Bar Association since 1982. 43yrs at the Bar
