Speaker Bagbin administers oaths to MPs-elect
Ghana’s ninth Parliament is ready to convene at present, following the current normal elections the place the National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured a big majority in Parliament, profitable 183 out of 276 seats.
This shift in legislative energy marks a pivotal second in Ghana’s political panorama. The inauguration will embrace the swearing-in of Members of Parliament and the election of a brand new Speaker, each vital steps in shaping the nation’s governance for the approaching time period.
Follow for reside updates on the proceedings, key selections, and their implications for Ghana’s future.
2 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 2:24 am
House proceeds to elect two deputy audio system, Bernard Ahiafor elected First Deputy Speaker
Following the swearing-in of Speaker Alban Bagbin, the home has commenced the election of two deputy audio system for Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, Chief Whip of the Minority, nominated Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, MP for Akatsi South, for the place of First Deputy Speaker. The nomination was seconded by Hon. Patricia Appiagyei of the NPP.
With no extra nominations offered, Speaker Bagbin declared Hon. Ahiafor duly elected because the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament. His election marks a key step within the formation of management to steer the legislative enterprise of the home.
The home now prepares to maneuver on to the election of the Second Deputy Speaker.
15 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 2:11 am
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin makes historical past as longest-serving parliamentary chief in Ghana’s 4th Republic
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been re-elected because the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, equalling the document set by Justice Daniel Francis Annan, who served as Speaker throughout each the first and 2nd Parliaments of the 4th Republic from 1993 to 2001.
Bagbin now holds the excellence of being the longest-serving parliamentary chief in Ghana’s democratic period.
Bagbin’s profession in Parliament is unmatched in Ghana’s 4th Republic. He first entered Parliament in 1993 because the MP for Nadowli Kaleo, representing his constituency for 28 consecutive years till his retirement in 2021.
During his time as an MP, he held numerous key roles, together with Majority Leader and Minister of Health.
In 2017, Bagbin was elected 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, serving in that capability till his historic election as Speaker in 2021. His re-election as Speaker for the ninth Parliament additional solidifies his legacy as a pivotal determine in Ghana’s legislative historical past.
Bagbin can also be the primary particular person to function Speaker with out coming from the governing occasion, a precedent he set in 2021 when he was elected beneath a hung Parliament situation.
His management has been marked by requires bipartisan cooperation and a give attention to strengthening Ghana’s democratic establishments.
From his beginnings as an MP within the first Parliament of the 4th Republic to his present position as Speaker, Bagbin’s political journey displays a deep reference to Ghana’s evolving democratic course of, making him a record-holder and a key determine within the nation’s parliamentary historical past.
19 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 2:07 am
Speaker Bagbin administers oaths to MPs-elect
Following his official assumption of workplace, Speaker Alban Bagbin has taken cost of the subsequent essential step within the parliamentary proceedings by administering the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Member of Parliament to the MPs-elect current within the chamber.
The swearing-in course of is a vital constitutional requirement that transitions the MPs-elect to full Members of Parliament, granting them the authority to take part in legislative actions.
Bagbin’s administration of the oaths marks the formal starting of the legislative time period for Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
26 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 2:00 am
Speaker Bagbin cautions MPs-elect to finish swearing-in course of
Delivering a pointed reminder to the home, Speaker Alban Bagbin famous that some members have moved away from the chamber and issued a warning relating to their standing.
“I noticed a number of members have moved out of the chamber, and if you are not sworn in, you remain MP-elect,” Bagbin acknowledged, stressing the significance of finishing the swearing-in course of to formally assume their roles as Members of Parliament.
35 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:50 am
Alban Bagbin delivers acceptance speech after assuming workplace as Speaker; thanks President John Mahama
Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has delivered his acceptance speech after formally assuming workplace because the Speaker of Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
“It is with great humility I accept the high office of Speaker of the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,” he started, expressing appreciation for the belief positioned in him to guide the home.
Bagbin prolonged particular gratitude to former President John Dramani Mahama for enjoying a pivotal position in his nomination. “I also extend my gratitude to John Dramani Mahama for the trust he has expressed in my leadership of the house and for recommending my candidature in consultation with the leadership of the NDC,” he acknowledged.
The Speaker’s speech set a tone of unity and dedication to fostering a productive and neutral Parliament, as he assumes the management of the legislative arm for a second consecutive time period.
40 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:45 am
Alban Bagbin completes oaths, dons Speaker’s cloak, and assumes management of Parliament
Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has accomplished the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of the Speaker, administered by the Chief Justice.
Following the signing of all mandatory paperwork, Bagbin was ceremoniously robed within the Speaker’s cloak and robe, symbolising his official assumption of the workplace of Speaker of Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
Taking his seat on the Speaker’s chair, Bagbin referred to as the home to order, marking the start of his management over the legislative physique.
The environment within the chamber mirrored the gravity of the second, as Bagbin as soon as once more takes on the historic position of presiding over parliamentary proceedings.
49 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:37 am
Clerk of Parliament invitations Chief Justice to manage oaths to speaker-elect Alban Bagbin
The Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has formally invited the Chief Justice to manage the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of the Speaker to the speaker-elect, Hon. Alban Bagbin.
This essential step within the parliamentary course of will formally affirm Bagbin’s place because the Speaker of Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
The ceremony underscores a big second in Ghana’s political historical past, marking Bagbin’s reappointment as Speaker, a job he beforehand held within the eighth Parliament. With the administration of those oaths, Bagbin can be empowered to preside over parliamentary proceedings and be certain that the home operates throughout the framework of the structure.
56 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:30 am
Clerk declares Alban Bagbin elected as speaker after no extra nominations
Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been formally declared the Speaker of Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
The Clerk of Parliament made the announcement after confirming that Bagbin was the only real nominee, with no additional nominations offered. This marks the second consecutive time period for Bagbin as Speaker, a historic feat in Ghana’s parliamentary historical past.
60 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:26 am
Motion for nomination of speaker lastly seconded
After heated exchanges and procedural disagreements, the movement for the nomination of Hon. Alban Bagbin as Speaker of the ninth Parliament has been efficiently seconded.
This marks a big step ahead within the ongoing course of to elect a brand new Speaker, as each side of the home seem able to proceed with the election.
1 hr 11 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:15 am
Rockson Defeamekpor forcibly seconds movement amid uproar, clerk overrides
Hon. Rockson-Nelson Defeamekpor of the NDC took issues into his personal arms by forcibly seconding the movement to elect Hon. Alban Bagbin as Speaker.
His intervention got here as debates over Hon. Afenyo Markin’s remarks continued to delay proceedings.
“If Afenyo Markin is not ready to second, I have done so,” Defeamekpor declared, prompting an uproar within the chamber. The chaotic scene underscores the tense environment within the ninth Parliament’s first session, as each side of the home grapple with procedural disagreements.
However, the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, swiftly intervened, stating that Hon. Afenyo Markin was already on the ground and had the fitting to proceed his secondment. This ruling from the clerk overrode Defeamekpor’s motion, additional intensifying the stress in the home.
1 hr 15 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:11 am
Proceedings stall as debate continues over Afenyo Markin’s remarks
The election of a Speaker has hit a snag as parliamentary proceedings stall because of ongoing debates over Hon. Afenyo Markin’s remarks throughout his secondment of the movement to elect Hon. Alban Bagbin.
Members of Parliament stay divided over whether or not his feedback have been in breach of the home’s standing orders, with some calling for strict adherence to process to make sure a clean course of.
Hon. Abu Jinapor, from the NPP aspect of the home, rose to assist Hon. Afenyo Markin, clarifying that Markin had indicated he was making a preliminary remark earlier than seconding the movement.
Jinapor burdened that his colleague was inside his rights to handle the home, including that such feedback needs to be allowed beneath parliamentary process. This additional deepened the continuing debate, as MPs stay cut up over the interpretation of the standing orders.
1 hr 23 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:03 am
Afenyo Markin seconds movement to elect Bagbin, sparks standing orders debate
Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markin of the NPP seconded the movement to elect Hon. Alban Bagbin as Speaker however insisted on addressing a preliminary matter earlier than doing so.
“This house is an independent constitutional body… the mandate given to us to elect a speaker is in the constitution,” he mentioned.
However, his remarks have been interrupted by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of the NDC, who objected to any feedback throughout the secondment.
“When rising to second a motion, there should be no remarks or debate. He cannot be violently violating our standing orders… So, Mr Chairman, we invite you to ensure that this solemn ceremony proceeds accordingly,” Ablakwa acknowledged, calling for strict adherence to parliamentary procedures.
1 hr 24 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 1:01 am
Alban Bagbin’s nomination units historic precedent – Majority Leader Ato Forson
Majority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in nominating Hon. Alban Bagbin for the place of Speaker, highlighted the historic nature of his nomination.
He famous that Bagbin stays the primary individual in Ghana’s historical past to be elected Speaker of Parliament with out coming from the bulk aspect of the home.
This nomination marks a big shift in Ghana’s parliamentary custom, reinforcing the present political dynamics within the ninth Parliament.
1 hr 30 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 12:56 am
Ato Forson nominates Hon. Alban Bagbin as speaker of ninth Parliament
The Majority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has formally nominated Hon. Alban Bagbin for the place of Speaker of the ninth Parliament.
Bagbin, Ghana’s longest-serving MP and former Speaker, is being proposed to guide the legislative home as soon as once more.
2 hr 33 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 12:53 am
Roll name ends as clerk proclaims quorum to elect speaker
The roll name of MPs-elect has concluded, and the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has confirmed {that a} quorum has been shaped to proceed with the election of a Speaker, consistent with the necessities of Ghana’s structure.
2 hr 36 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 12:50 am
2 hr 40 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 12:45 am
‘I find myself constrained!’ – Clerk of Parliament cites court docket order on Akwatia MP
Earlier, the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, had knowledgeable the home that he’s unable to swear in Ernest Kumi because the Member of Parliament for Akwatia.
This follows a court docket order barring Mr Kumi from collaborating within the session. “I find myself constrained,” the Clerk acknowledged, as he addressed the home on the matter.
He proceeded to learn out the authorized implications ought to Ernest Kumi proceed to characterize himself in parliament and forged a vote. However, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, spoke on behalf of the estranged Kumi, accepting all penalties.
2 hr 49 min in the pastJanuary 7, 2025 12:37 am
Roll name of MPs-elect underway
The Clerk of Parliament has commenced the roll name of Members of Parliament-elect as a part of the formal course of to inaugurate Ghana’s ninth Parliament.
This essential step will affirm the attendance of MPs-elect forward of the swearing-in ceremony and the election of a brand new Speaker of Parliament.