Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Appointed Majority Leader of Ghana’s Ninth Parliament

Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, has been appointed as the Majority Leader of Ghana’s Ninth Parliament.

The announcement came after a caucus meeting of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament.

Forson’s appointment ensures continuity for the party’s leadership as they transition to the new Parliament.

In a move to maintain stability and continuity, the NDC confirmed that it would retain its entire frontbench leadership from the previous Parliament.

This includes Dr. Forson’s reappointment as Majority Leader.

The NDC had finalized its leadership choices during a caucus held after the dissolution of Parliament on January 6, 2025.

As Majority Leader, Dr. Forson will play a key role in guiding the legislative agenda for the NDC in the Ninth Parliament.

He will be supported by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the MP for Ellembelle, who will serve as Deputy Majority Leader.

The position of Majority Chief Whip will be taken by Governs Kwame Agbodza, the MP for Adaklu, who will ensure that party members align with the leadership on important legislative matters. Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Banda, will serve as his deputy.

The Ninth Parliament also saw the re-election of Alban Bagbin as Speaker. Bagbin was the sole nominee for the position, and after taking his Oath of Office, he swore in the legislators for the new Parliament.

In his speech, Bagbin expressed his gratitude for the honor and committed to upholding justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law.

In a related development, President-elect John Mahama’s endorsement of Bagbin’s continued role as Speaker was seen as a strategic move to address the challenges that may arise in the Ninth Parliament.

Mahama praised Bagbin’s vast experience, which he believes will be crucial for navigating the Parliament’s future challenges.

However, there were some concerns raised by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, regarding the nomination process, citing what he perceived as a lack of consultation before the appointments were made.

While the Parliament was sworn in, 274 out of the 276 MPs were confirmed, with two constituencies—Ablekuma North and Akwatia—facing issues regarding the eligibility of their candidates.

As Ghana prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Mahama later today, the political landscape in the country continues to evolve, with both the NDC and the opposition closely watching how the new Parliament will unfold under its leadership.