The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has inaugurated the Northern Caucus of the 9th Parliament, emphasizing the importance of promoting inclusive development and unity across Ghana’s five northern regions.
The ceremony, held in Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, marked a renewed effort to consolidate the voice of Northern MPs in championing strategic development for the area.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Speaker highlighted the importance of the Caucus in addressing key development gaps in the northern sector.
He emphasized that the initiative will focus on critical areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, rural electrification, water and sanitation, agriculture, industrialization, and the preservation of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
“This is a giant step towards bringing peace, development, and carrying the message of democratic growth to the North,” the Speaker stated.
“We need to silence the guns and the bitterness in that part of the country because it affects the development of the whole country. I’m happy this initiative reactivates what our great forefathers fought for, equitable development across the country.”
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, also expressed optimism about the initiative, calling for unity among Members of Parliament from the five northern regions.
“As elected representatives, our people expect us to work across party lines. We must put up a stronger, common voice than we have done in the past. We want to leverage our partners’ commitment, the Speaker’s leadership, and our personal dedication to the Northern cause, to ensure the Northern caucus is indeed a strong Northern caucus that is able to advance the development of the people in the North” he stated.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, reaffirmed the Minority Caucus’ support for the initiative, pledging their cooperation to ensure its success.
“We support this initiative and pledge our active assistance in the work of the Caucus anytime we are called upon,” he noted.
The Northern Caucus is expected to serve as a non-partisan platform to foster strategic dialogue and partnership among MPs, government agencies, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and development partners to accelerate progress in northern Ghana.