Ghana’s 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic will be officially dissolved today, January 6, 2025, to make way for the swearing-in of the 9th Parliament. This brings to a close their legislative term that began on January 7, 2021.
The dissolution will occur during a final sitting chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, the Right Honourable Alban Bagbin. During this session, Members of Parliament will finalize any pending matters and officially bring their term to an end.
The 8th Parliament has been one of the most competitive in the nation’s history, beginning with both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) holding 137 seats each, along with one Independent MP. This rare balance often resulted in intense debates and complex negotiations in the lawmaking process.
At midnight, the newly elected Members of Parliament will be sworn in, officially commencing the 9th Parliament.
As part of this transition, a new Speaker will be elected, or the current Speaker may be retained if re-elected.
The 9th Parliament is expected to focus on critical national issues, including economic recovery, healthcare reforms, and disputes related to the recent general elections.