Ghana’s 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic will officially be dissolved today, 6th January 2025, ushering in the inauguration of the 9th Parliament.

This marks the conclusion of the legislative term, which began on 7th January 2021, and signifies another milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

The dissolution ceremony will be conducted during a final sitting, presided over by the Speaker of Parliament, the Right Honourable Alban Bagbin.

During this session, Members of Parliament will wrap up all outstanding legislative business and formally bid farewell to the chamber as their term draws to a close.

The occasion will be steeped in both reflection and anticipation, as lawmakers look back on their contributions while paving the way for the incoming Parliament.

The 8th Parliament has been one of the most closely contested in Ghana’s history, beginning with an equal distribution of seats between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) – 137 seats each – alongside one Independent Member of Parliament.

This rare balance of power often resulted in intense debates and necessitated rigorous negotiations to pass key legislation. The term has been marked by both challenges and achievements in Ghana’s legislative process.

Following the dissolution, the newly-elected Members of Parliament will be sworn in at midnight, signifying the commencement of the 9th Parliament.

During the inaugural session, a critical task will be the election of a Speaker and two deputy Speakers.