Stories and facts

Ghana’s Parliament is the country’s unicameral legislature, consisting of 276 members who serve four-year terms. These members are elected through a first-past-the-post voting system in single-seat constituencies.

As the nation's legislative body, Ghana’s Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s laws and policies.

A Glimpse into the History of Ghana's Legislature

Ghana’s history of legislative representation dates back to the mid-19th century, during the colonial era when the country was known as the Gold Coast under British rule. In 1850, the Legislative Council was established, but its role was largely advisory, with the British Governor holding most legislative and executive powers.

Over time, reforms were introduced to strengthen legislative representation, but the Governor’s influence remained dominant until 1946 when a new constitution allowed for an unofficial member to become the President of the Legislative Council.

By 1951, the Gold Coast held its first election based on universal suffrage. The Convention People’s Party (CPP), led by Kwame Nkrumah, emerged victorious, and the party's success marked a turning point in Ghana's political landscape.

Nkrumah, who had been jailed in 1950 for subversive activities, was released and appointed Leader of Government Business, eventually becoming the country’s first Prime Minister.

In 1956, the Gold Coast gained independence and was renamed Ghana. The Legislative Assembly became the National Assembly, and in 1960, Ghana officially became a republic with Nkrumah as its first President.

The country moved from a multiparty system to a one-party state in 1964, leading to a National Assembly election in 1965 where only CPP candidates were allowed to contest.

However, Nkrumah’s reign was cut short in 1966 by a military coup, which banned political parties and dissolved the National Assembly.

Ghana’s return to civilian rule came in 1969 when elections were held and the Progress Party (PP) of Kofi Abrefa Busia won a majority in the National Assembly. Busia served as Prime Minister, but his government was overthrown by another military coup in 1972.

During the Third Republic (1979–1981), the People's National Party (PNP), led by Hilla Limann, held dominance in the National Assembly. However, following a military intervention in 1981, all elected institutions were dissolved, and political parties were banned again.

The Fourth Republic: A New Beginning for Ghana’s Democracy

After 11 years of military rule, Ghana introduced a new constitution in 1992, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Jerry Rawlings, won the first parliamentary elections under the new constitution.

The NDC secured 189 out of 200 seats, and although the opposition contested the results, the NDC’s victory was cemented.

The subsequent parliamentary elections in 1996 saw all political parties participate, with the NDC securing 133 seats and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning 60 seats.

The 2000 parliamentary elections were a landmark moment as they marked the end of Rawlings’ presidency, with NPP’s John Kufuor defeating NDC’s John Atta Mills in a runoff.

The NPP secured 100 seats in the 200-seat Parliament, and this result brought a shift in Ghana’s political landscape.

In 2004, Kufuor was re-elected, and the NPP further strengthened its position, winning 128 seats out of 230. The NDC won 94 seats, and smaller parties captured the remaining seats.

Parliamentary Structure and Leadership

Ghana’s parliamentary system is based on a simple majority voting system, with the country divided into 275 single-member constituencies. Each member serves a four-year term.

The Speaker, who presides over the Parliament and ensures the observance of all parliamentary rules, is selected by the majority party, in consultation with other political parties. The current Speaker is Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin.

The Speaker is assisted by two Deputy Speakers, the First and Second Deputy Speakers—who come from different political parties.

The current First Deputy Speaker is Joseph Osei Owusu, and the Second Deputy Speaker is Andrew Amoako Asiamah, an independent candidate.

The Majority Leader, appointed from the party with the most seats, leads the majority in Parliament, and is assisted by a Deputy Majority Leader and a Majority Chief Whip.

The current Majority Leader is Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and the Deputy Majority Leader is Patricia Appiagyei, both from the NPP.

The Minority Leader, elected from the second-largest party in Parliament, leads the minority group. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, representing the NDC, is the current Minority Leader, with James Klutse Avedzi serving as the Deputy Minority Leader.

The 2020 General Elections and Parliamentary Composition

The 2020 general elections saw a rare situation where the number of seats in Parliament remained evenly split between the two major parties 137 seats each for the NPP and NDC.

The election, which was held amid challenges, demonstrated the polarized nature of Ghana’s political environment.

Committees of Parliament

As of November 2020, Ghana’s Parliament had 14 Standing Committees and 16 Select Committees, addressing various sectors of governance, including education, defense, finance, and health. T

hese committees play a vital role in scrutinizing bills and ensuring accountability in the administration.

A Legacy of Leadership

Ghana’s Parliament has had several notable Speakers over the years. From the era of Gold Coast’s Legislative Assembly to the present Fourth Republic, the role of Speaker has evolved, contributing to the development of Ghana’s democratic institutions.

The current Speaker, Alban Sumani Bagbin, took office in January 2021 and continues to uphold the legacy of Ghana’s parliamentary history.

The Parliament has seen many changes in its membership and leadership structure over the years, and today it remains a pillar of Ghana's democracy.

Ghana’s Parliament is a crucial institution in the country’s political system, embodying the democratic ideals of representation, transparency, and accountability.

Through the centuries, it has undergone numerous transformations, adapting to the political climate of the time.

Today, with its dynamic leadership and diverse membership, Ghana’s Parliament continues to play an essential role in shaping the nation’s future.