The 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana has elected Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin as the Speaker of Parliament.
This means for the first time in Ghana’s political history, a leading member of the main opposition party has been elected as the head of the Legislature to work hand-in-hand with the Executive.
Mr Bagbin, who was nominated by his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), pulled 138 votes to win the Speakership of the august house while his opponent, the immediate past Speaker of the 7th Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) got 136 votes from the newly elected 275 Members of Parliament (MP).
Mr. Bagbin, who was sworn-in by the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah in Accra on Thursday, January 7, 2021, said he would put the interest of the state ahead of political expediencies and work for all Ghanaians to ensure that the country is developed.
“I want to promise all Ghanaians that I would put the knowledge, experience and the information I have acquired for the past 28 years as a member of this house at the disposal of Parliament for the collective good of the country,” he added
At the same event, Mr. Joseph Osei Owusu, NPP MP for Bekwai Constituency, was maintained as the First Deputy Speaker and the only Independent MP for the 8th Parliament, MP for Fomena Constituency, Mr Andrews Amoako Asiamah, was elected as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Ishmael Batoma & Juliet Etefe, ISD
