Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has been re-elected as Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, assuming the role for the 9th Parliament. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) holds the majority, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) forming the minority in this Parliament.
Mr. Bagbin's nomination came from the Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, during proceedings initiated by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietro. The roll call included members whose names had been submitted to the House by the Electoral Commission of Ghana. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
After a brief discussion, the Clerk declared: “With no other nominations for the position of Speaker, I hereby declare Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament.”
Profile of Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin
Early Life and Education
Born on September 24, 1957, in Sombo, Upper West Region, Bagbin is a member of the Dagaaba ethnic group and the fourth of nine children born to peasant farmers Sansunni and Margaret Bagbin. He attended Wa Secondary School and Tamale Secondary School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Law and English from the University of Ghana in 1980. Called to the Ghana Bar in 1982, he also holds an Executive Master’s in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Career Highlights
Bagbin’s career spans various roles. He worked as acting Secretary to the Statistical Service Board (1980–1982) and as Personnel Manager of the State Hotels Corporation (1982–1983). He also taught English in Tripoli, Libya, before returning to Ghana in 1986 to join Akyem Chambers, eventually becoming a partner.
Between 1989 and 1992, he served as the external solicitor for institutions such as the Credit Unions Association of Ghana. In 1993, he became a partner at the Law Trust Company, where he continues to practice law.
Political Career
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bagbin first entered Parliament in 1992, representing the Nadowli West Constituency. He served as Majority Leader in 2009 and later held ministerial positions, including Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing (2010) and Minister for Health (2012–2013). From 2017 to 2021, he was the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Bagbin contested the NDC’s presidential primaries in 2019 but lost to former President John Dramani Mahama. On January 7, 2021, he was elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament. Notably, he made headlines in 2024 by declaring four parliamentary seats vacant due to MPs switching parties, a decision later reversed by Ghana’s Supreme Court.
Electoral Record
Bagbin has consistently demonstrated strong electoral performances. In the 1996 elections, he won the Nadowli North seat with 76.46% of the votes. After constituency realignment in 2004, he secured 50.5% of votes in the Nadowli West Constituency.
Personal Life
Bagbin is married to Alice Adjua Yornas Bagbin, a UNICEF Programme Officer. A devout Roman Catholic, he remains committed to his faith and public service.
Bagbin’s extensive career in law and politics, combined with his leadership roles in Parliament, cements his legacy as one of Ghana’s most prominent political figures.