Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Presidential Elections — a key moment unfolding during the Bank’s 2025 Annual Meetings.
This prestigious role places Dr. Forson at the center of Africa’s top-tier financial decision-making, as five high-profile candidates vie to succeed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long leadership at the Bank is nearing its end.
As Returning Officer, Dr. Forson is entrusted with ensuring a credible, transparent and rule-bound voting process.
From confirming ballot integrity before each round to verifying vote counts and rejecting invalid submissions, his role is critical to preserving the sanctity of the election under the Bank’s statutes.
The appointment is widely seen as a reflection of the continent’s growing confidence in Dr. Forson’s integrity and steady-handed professionalism.
Notably, it comes at a time when his domestic credibility has soared — especially with the Ghanaian cedi recently experiencing significant gains under his watch.
Many economists and market watchers point to his stabilizing leadership at the Finance Ministry as key to Ghana’s current fiscal turnaround.
Working alongside the Secretary General, General Counsel, and a technical team, Dr. Forson is set to guide the election process with precision and impartiality — a hallmark of his public service journey.
