On January 6, 2025, the 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana was officially inaugurated, marking the beginning of a new legislative session.
The historic event took place in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Parliament House in Accra, following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament at midnight.
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the newly re-elected Speaker of Parliament, was sworn in by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. Bagbin, who previously served as Speaker of the 8th Parliament, was re-nominated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and received overwhelming support from Members of Parliament.
Excluding the representative from the Ablekuma North constituency, the Speaker presides over 275 Members of Parliament.
With the NDC securing a majority in the 2024 parliamentary elections, winning 183 seats out of 276, the party retained its leadership team for the new Parliament. The New Patriotic Party (NPP), as of January 7, 2025, secured 88 seats out of the total 276.
On the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Majority Leader, Ato Forson, affirmed to the Speaker that all four Independent Members of Parliament have declared their intention to collaborate with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus.
“Mr Speaker, while the MP for Gomoa Central has officially written to us, the others are expected to formalise their stance soon,” he stated.
The four Independent MPs are:
- Kwame Asare Obeng (Gomoa Central)
- Ohene Kwame Frimpong (Asante Akim North)
- Nandaya Yaw Stanley (Wulensi)
- Worlasi Kpeli (Afram Plains North)
While Kwame Asare Obeng has officially written to confirm his stance, the three others have been instructed to formally notify the Majority Caucus and the Speaker of Parliament in writing to confirm their decision.
