Ghana's 4th Republic has seen a distinguished array of Speakers of Parliament, each bringing unique qualities and leadership to the legislative arm of government.

Today, we profile these eminent personalities who have steered the Ghanaian Parliament since the inception of the 4th Republic.

Daniel Francis Annan (January 1993 - January 2001)



Daniel Francis Annan was the inaugural Speaker of Parliament under the 4th Republic, serving from January 1993 to January 2001. He presided over the first and second parliaments, playing a pivotal role in Ghana's nascent democratic era.

Born in Accra on November 7, 1928 (died July 16, 2006), Justice Annan attended Accra Academy (1939-1945) and Achimota College (1946-48) before going to the University of Hull, UK, where he obtained an LL.B (Hons) in 1956. He was called to the Bar in 1958 at Middle Temple, UK. Mr. Justice Annan served at the Attorney-General's Department from 1958 to 1964 as Assistant State Attorney, State Attorney, and Senior State Attorney.

He moved to the Bench in 1964 when he was appointed as a Circuit Court Judge (1964-1966), High Court Judge (1966-1971), and Appeal Court Judge (1971-1979).

Justice Annan was also the Stool Lands Boundaries Settlement Commissioner from 1974-1976 and a Member of the Legal Class Appointment Board (1974-1976).

Justice Annan was a keen sports lover. He was Chairman of Ghana Boxing Promotion (1973-1976), Chairman of the Boxing Authority (1980-1982), and President of the Ghana National Olympic Committee (1983-1985).

On the media front, he was appointed Chairman of the Press Freedom and Complaints Committee of the Ghana Press Commission in 1980. He also served as Chairman of the Ghana Police Council in 1984 and Chairman of the National Economic Commission in 1984.

On the political scene, Justice Annan held several positions under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). He was appointed a Member of the Provisional National Defence Council in 1984 and Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy in 1984.

One of his high points was in January 1993 when he was appointed Speaker of Parliament, a position he held under two successive Parliaments from 1993-2000.

He was a Christian and was married with four children. His hobby was gardening.

Peter Ala Adjetey (January 2001 - January 2005)



Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey is the 2nd Speaker of the 4th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. The Rt. Hon Speaker was born in Accra on August 11, 1931. He was educated at St. Pauls School La, Accra Bishop Boys' School and Accra Academy.

He graduated from the University College of the Gold Coast in 1954 with a London University intermediate Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. He proceeded to the University of Nottingham UK and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1958. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1959 and in the same year, on his return to Ghana, he was called to the bar in Ghana.

PA Adjetey worked as a Law Officer with the Attorney General’s department from 1959 - 1962. From 1962 until January 7, 2001, when he was elected as speaker of Parliament.

During his time as Speaker, he led several parliamentary delegations to various parliamentary fora in countries such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Botswana, Australia and South Africa.

A respected lawyer and politician, Adjetey's tenure was noted for his commitment to parliamentary independence and the enhancement of legislative oversight. His legal acumen contributed significantly to the legislative process during his term.

Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes (January 2005 - January 2009)



Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes served as Speaker from January 2005 to January 2009, overseeing the 4th Parliament.

Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, is a distinguished legal practitioner. Born at Cape Coast in the Central Region on September 4, 1939, he was educated at Cape Coast Government Boys School and Adisadel College, Cape Coast, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1958.

Sekyi-Hughes entered the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1961 where he obtained a BA (Hons) in 1964 and an LLB in 1966. He received a special award from the Academy of International Court of Justice at The Hague, Holland, to attend seminars on both public and private international law.

Sekyi-Hughes was called to the Ghana Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1966. He has since October 1966 been a legal practitioner and a partner of Gaisie, Zwenes, Hughes and Co., a law firm with branches in Accra and Takoradi. He was appointed as a Notary Public in 1974.

Sekyi-Hughes was President of the Western Region Branch of the Ghana Bar Association in 1977-81 and a member of the Judicial Council and Bar Council during the same period.

He was a member of Ghana's delegation to the Commonwealth Law Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1981 and the African Bar Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991.

Sekyi-Hughes was elevated to the status of Senior Advocate of Ghana in 1990 and was elected as the Western Regional representative on the Council of State in 2001.

He served on a number of Boards as chairman of the Ghana Oil Company Board, Director of Multi Wall Paper Sacks Limited, Takoradi, Paper Conversion Company Ltd., and Benso Oil Palm Plantation Ltd.

His hobbies are reading, travelling, and club life. He is a strong advocate of human rights and the environment.

Sekyi-Hughes is married with six children.

Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo (January 2009 - January 2013)



Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo made history as the first female Speaker of Parliament, serving from January 2009 to January 2013. Her term marked a significant milestone in Ghana's political landscape, symbolising progress in gender equality.

Bamford-Addo's leadership was noted for her fair and impartial handling of parliamentary affairs and her commitment to enhancing the role of women in politics.

The Rt. Honourable Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo was born on March 26, 1937, in Accra, Ghana. She started her education in Cape Coast Catholic Schools, namely, St. Mary’s Boarding School, and then went to Ola Boarding School. She then proceeded to Holy Child School, also in Cape Coast, for her secondary education.

Determined to acquire the requisite knowledge to ensure success in life, Speaker Bamford-Addo joined the prestigious Inner Temple in the UK for her law studies with a strong desire to immerse herself in her law studies.

She was called to the English Bar in 1961 and practised in the UK for a year before returning to Ghana. She was subsequently called to the Ghana Bar in 1962. Since then, Speaker Bamford-Addo has held many influential positions in the legal field and is widely acclaimed as a supporter of individual liberties and guarantees of justice to all.

Edward Doe Adjaho (January 2013 - January 2017)



Edward Adjaho, a seasoned lawyer and politician, served as Speaker from January 2013 to January 2017, presiding over the 6th Parliament.

Edward Doe Adjaho is a Ghanaian politician and barrister. Prior to becoming Speaker, he served as the Member of Parliament for the Avenor-Ave constituency from 1993 to 2012.

He is one of the few politicians who retained their seats in parliament throughout the 4th Republic of Ghana. He was also a member of the Pan-African Parliament.

Adjaho studied at the University of Ghana, where he obtained an LL.B. degree in 1984 before proceeding to the Ghana School of Law, where he trained to become a Barrister-at-Law in 1986. He worked at the Attorney-General's department before turning to politics.

He is a Christian and is married with five children. His family hails from Wlitey in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Aaron Mike Oquaye (January 2017 - January 2021)



Aaron Mike Oquaye, born on April 4, 1944, is a Ghanaian politician and a former Speaker of Parliament who was sworn in on January 7, 2017.

As a member of the New Patriotic Party, he was the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya from 2005 to 2013. He was Ghana's High Commissioner to India from 2001 to 2004, then Minister of Energy from 2005 to 2006, and Minister of Communications from 2006 to 2009. He also served as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2009 to 2013.

Oquaye was born in Osu, Accra, to E. G. N Oquaye of Osu and Felicia Awusika Abla Oquaye (née Azu) of Odumase-Krobo. He was brought up at Asamankese in the Eastern Region, where he attended the Roman Catholic Primary School and Presbyterian Middle School before proceeding to Presbyterian Boys' Secondary (PRESEC), at Odumase-Krobo.

Oquaye's father, E.G.N. Oquaye, was a founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) at Asamankese. He was also treasurer and principal financier of the UGCC, Gold Coast Party (GCP), National Liberation Movement (NLM), and United Party (UP) at Asamankese.

When Oquaye was a child, his family received political figures and dignitaries such as Dr. J. B. Danquah and Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia as guests at their home. While the Okyenhene, Nana Ofori Atta II, was in exile in Accra, he lived in the same house as the Oquaye family.

After passing his GCE Ordinary Level at PRESEC, Oquaye proceeded to study for his GCE Advanced Level at Apam Secondary School. He obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level in 1961 and the GCE Advanced Level in 1963. He was appointed Junior Assistant Registrar at the University of Ghana, Legon (1965–1968).

Oquaye studied at the University of Ghana, Legon, graduating in 1970 with a BA Honours degree in Political Science. He also studied law at the same university, earning an LL.B. Honours in 1973. He was called to the Ghana Bar in 1975. He was awarded a PhD in political science in 1984.


Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (January 2021 - Present)



Alban Bagbin is the current Speaker, serving since January 2021.

Known for his extensive parliamentary experience and legal background, Bagbin's tenure is marked by efforts to strengthen parliamentary processes and promote transparency in the legislative framework.

Born on September 24, 1957, he received his elementary education at Roman Catholic Primary School in Sombo and continued at Wa Secondary School and Tamale Secondary School.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in law and English at the University of Ghana in 1980. He then attended the Ghana School of Law, where he graduated with a barrister-at-law (BL) degree in 1982.

He holds an Executive Masters in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

Bagbin is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and served as a member of parliament, first for the Nadowli North constituency and then for Nadowli West, from 1993 to 2020.

He has served in various capacities, including as Minister for Health and Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing. His extensive political career and leadership roles within the NDC have contributed to his reputation as a seasoned politician and respected parliamentary figure.

NAY/MA