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Bernard Ahiafor Elected 1st Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament
The Member of Parliament for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor, has been elected as the 1st Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
His nomination, made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader and received strong support from members of Parliament.
Joining him in the leadership team is Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Member of Parliament for Fomena, who has been re-elected as the 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, a role he has held since January 2021.
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Bernard Ahiafor, a seasoned legislator from the Volta Region, has been representing Akatsi South since 2013. A practicing lawyer, Ahiafor is widely recognised for his legal expertise and parliamentary experience.
He has served on several critical committees, including the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, where his contributions have been instrumental. His deep understanding of parliamentary procedures and legal frameworks is expected to greatly enhance his performance as 1st Deputy Speaker.
The election of the deputy speakers followed the inauguration of Ghana’s 9th Parliament, held in the early hours of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Parliament House in Accra.
Earlier in the session, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin was sworn in as Speaker of Parliament by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Bagbin, re-elected for a second term, was nominated by the NDC and received overwhelming support. His leadership during the 8th Parliament, known for its hung composition, has positioned him as a key figure in Ghana’s legislative landscape.
After his swearing-in, Speaker Bagbin presided over the oath-taking ceremony for 275 Members of Parliament-elect, excluding the representative for Ablekuma North.
The NDC, having secured a majority with 183 out of 276 seats in the 2024 parliamentary elections, retained its leadership team for the 9th Parliament:
- Majority Leader: Cassiel Ato Forson (MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam)
- Deputy Majority Leader: Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP for Ellembelle)
- Majority Chief Whip: Governs Kwame Agbodza (MP for Adaklu)
- Deputy Majority Chief Whip: Ahmed Ibrahim (MP for Banda)
