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Born on September 24, 1957, in Sombo in the Upper West Region of Ghana, the Right
Honourable Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (ASK) is a true embodiment of resilience, integrity,
and visionary leadership. As the fourth born of nine children, he rose from humble beginnings
through perseverance and determination. Reflecting on his early life, he once said:
“Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges, struggles and pains, but I learned early on in life not to
count that as suffering, but a process to build resilience for the future.”
With thirty three years of unbroken service in Parliament as the Member of Parliament (MP) for
the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency from 1993 to 2021, the Right Honourable ASK has become the
first Ghanaian and the most experienced and respected lawmaker since the time of colonialism.
During his tenure, no candidate from any political party could unseat him until he voluntarily
stepped down in 2021. This was not by luck, but through dependable commitment to unalloyed
service and leadership, always prioritizing the needs of his people over his personal interest.
His leadership was marked by presence, not absence. He was always on the ground at every
level from the corridors of Parliament to party rallies, community events, and public forums,
serving with humility and dedication. His guiding principle has always been to serve by actions,
not words.
Empowering the Next Generation is his passion.
Being a firm believer in the power and potential of Ghana’s youth, ASK has mentored and
sponsored countless young people within and outside his constituency. His vision is clear: the
future of Ghana belongs to the youth, and they must be equipped to lead. This commitment led
to the recent formation of ASK Frontiers, a youth focused mentorship initiative aimed at
developing Ghana’s next generation of ethical, honest and capable leaders.
Even though some of the youth he trained rose to later become his political opponents, he
boarded not and remained committed to their growth. His goal is not personal praise, but
national progress through empowered leadership.
Apart from being a Chairman of many Committees and Boards, Majority Leader, Minority
leader, Deputy Speaker and in 2021, the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament. ASK made
history as Ghana’s first Speaker of Parliament from a party not in government. He managed and
presided over a hung Parliament from 2021 to 2025, to the admiration of all. While similar
arrangements in other countries such as the UK, Australia, and the USA often led to
governmental gridlock or collapse, the Right Honourable ASK’s charismatic, impartial, and
principled leadership enabled him to steer Parliament through a challenging period in Ghana’s
history with wisdom and tact. This led to His unanimous election for a second term as the
Speaker of the ninth Parliament.
Under his leadership, Parliament became a stabilizing force during a time of severe economic
crisis and political tension in Africa. While many African countries experienced military
takeovers during this period, I.e, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea Bissau, and Niger among others,
Ghana remained a beacon of democracy. A peaceful and credible elections were held in 2024,
which led to an overwhelming majority votes for the National Democratic Congress, the party
of the Rt Hon Speaker. Thanks partly to the Right Honourable ASK’s leadership in Parliament
during the turbulent period before the elections.
Respected Leader Across Africa and beyond.
ASK’s impact goes beyond Ghana. He chairs several international parliamentary bodies in Africa
and beyond, including being the Chair of Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African
Legislature, [COSPAL] where he Distinguished himself to the admiration of his colleagues. This
led to the renewal of his mandate for a second term as the Chair of COSPAL. He has been
instrumental in promoting international relations, parliamentary diplomacy, and review of the
global governance architecture. His wisdom and statesmanship have made Ghana’s Parliament
a model for democratic governance across the continent and beyond.
A man of great innovation, integrity and courage
Whether managing Ministries, Institutions, or the Legislature, ASK has always left behind a
legacy of discipline, achievement, and impactful transformation. Institutions he once led still
trace his footsteps to seek the secrets behind his lasting impact. He is diligent, humble,
incorruptible, and deeply God-fearing, a true model of ethical leadership. This character
touched the Moslem community in Ghana, led by the Chief Imam to crown him, the great
honor of Sai-fullah, the Sword of Allah, for his honest and courageous leadership. Four
Traditional Areas, led by their Paramount Chiefs bestowed various Chieftaincy titles on him.
Ghana today needs a leader who is not swayed by extreme partisanship, tribalism, religious
bigotry, egoism, or filthy wealth. We need a leader whose decisions are guided by integrity,
competence, vision, and love for country. I find these qualities in the Rt. Honourable Alban
Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s leadership.
His leadership mirrors that of Singapore’s former Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who
transformed Singapore from a squalor third-world nodal conflict prone tiny state, into a first
world nation, a global economic power, through vision, discipline, zero tolerance for
corruption, leadership by example, and long-term planning. The Right ASK shares the same
qualities: solid values and principles, commitment to clean and honest governance, firm
leadership, innovative initiatives such as the Citizens Bureau to booster the concept of open
parliament in Ghana, democracy cup to take Parliament to the people, particularly the youth
through the game of football, and a long-term vision of a strong Parliament for national
transformation.
It is time for Ghana to also rise again after Kwame Nkrumah . We need a President who can
unite the country, strengthen our democracy, empower the youth, and restore hope to the
people. ASK has proven himself at every level of leadership. He has brought honor to Ghana’s
Parliament, peace to its politics, and hope to its youth.
Therefore as a Ghana youth we need a person cut in the image of ASK now, more than ever in
the shortest possible time. When I tried persuading him to contest for the seat of the President
of Ghana, declined emphatically, citing reasons that I don’t accept.
In conclusion with a leader, a President, cut in that image, Ghana, could sustain the gains being
made by His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama’s government to consolidate the rise, greatness
and leadership of Ghana in the global community, once more.
Written by
Gilbert Kuukyar Babon
