Legislative Council of the Gold Coast

Parliament of Ghana
7th Parliament of the 4th Republic
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Speaker	Aaron Mike Oquaye Since 7 January 2017
Structure
Seats	275
Political groups	NPP (168)      NDC (107)
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	7 December 2016
Meeting place
Parliament House Accra, Greater Accra Republic of Ghana
Website
www.parliament.gh

The Parliament of Ghana is the legislative body of the Government of Ghana.

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.

1951 was also the first year that elections based on universal suffrage were held. The Convention People's Party (CPP), which was formed in 1949 and led by Kwame Nkrumah, won the election. Another party, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) led by J.B. Danquah, fared poorly, and was disbanded soon after. Nkrumah, who had been jailed in early 1950 for subversion, was released and appointed Leader of Government Business, becoming the country's first Prime Minister the following year.