Legislative representation in Ghana dates back to 1950, when the country (then known as Gold Coast) was a British colony.
The body, called the Legislative Council, was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive powers. Reforms were introduced in 1916 and 1925, although the governor’s power remained extensive.
In 1946, a new constitution was introduced that allowed for an unofficial member of the Legislative Council to become its president while the governor ceased to be the ex officio president of the body. This system continued until 1951 when the Legislature elected its first Speaker – Sir Emmanuel Charles Quist.
It’s the third highest position on the land of Ghana.
During the Third Republic, which lasted from 1979 to 1981, the dominant party in the National Assembly was the People’s National Party (PNP), which won 71 out of 104 seats in elections held on 18 June 1979. After the military intervened in 1981, all elected institutions were dissolved and political party activity was prohibited.
| Name of Speaker | Year of Reign |
|---|---|
| Emmanuel Charles Quist | 1951 – 1957 |
| Independent state and First Republic | |
| Augustus Molade Akiwumi | 1958 – 1960 |
| Joseph Richard Asiedu | 1960 – 1965 |
| Kofi Asante Ofori-Atta | 1965 – 1966 |
| Second Republic (Speaker of National Assembly) | |
| Nii Amaa Ollennu | 1969 – 1971 |
| Third Republic (Speaker of National Assembly) | |
| Jacob Hackenbug Griffiths-Randolph | 1979 – 1981 |
| Fourth Republic (Speaker of Parliament) | |
| Daniel Francis Annan | 1993 – 2001 |
| Peter Ala Adjetey | 2001 – 2005 |
| Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes | 2005 – 2009 |
| Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo | 2009 – 2013 |
| Edward Adjaho | 2013 – 2017 |
| Aaron Mike Oquaye | 2017 – Present |