Ghana’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB) during the Bank’s ongoing 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The AfDB Annual Meetings, held from May 26–30, 2025, bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, and other stakeholders from the Bank’s 81 member countries. This year’s theme, “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” underscores the importance of utilizing Africa’s capital—human, natural, financial, and commercial—as a driver for the continent’s structural transformation. Dr. Forson, a seasoned economist and chartered accountant, has represented the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in Ghana’s Parliament since 2009. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from the University of Oxford. Prior to his current role, he served as Deputy Minister for Finance under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration. His appointment as Returning Officer for the AfDB presidential elections reflects his expertise and the confidence placed in him by the African Development Bank.
The 2025 African Development Bank (AfDB) presidential election is set to determine the successor to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who has served as the AfDB President since 2015. The election is scheduled for May 29, 2025, during the Bank’s Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Minister of Finance, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the election.
🗳️ Candidates for AfDB Presidency
Five candidates from across Africa are vying for the presidency:
- Mr. Amadou Hott – Senegal
- Former Minister of Economy, Planning, and Cooperation of Senegal.
- Advocates for enhancing Africa’s financial sovereignty and reducing reliance on external funding.
- Emphasizes the urgency of supporting Africa’s development with drive and passion.
- Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo – Zambia
- Former Vice President at the World Bank.
- Focuses on intra-African trade, regulatory harmonization, and a unified development approach across the continent.
- Mr. Sidi Ould Tah – Mauritania
- Current Managing Director of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
- Aims to increase capital mobilization, formalize Africa’s informal sector, and build climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli – Chad
- Former Governor of the Bank of Central African States.
- Proposes enhanced governance, risk pooling, and digital finance mechanisms to curb resource mismanagement and promote self-sufficiency.
- Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – South Africa
- Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the AfDB.
- The only female candidate, she emphasizes internal restructuring to enhance focus on infrastructure and innovation in financial instruments.
🏛️ Election Process
The election follows a structured timeline:
- July 1, 2024: Invitation for submission of candidatures.
- January 31, 2025: Closing date for receipt of candidatures.
- February 11–13, 2025: Verification of candidatures by the Steering Committee.
- February 21, 2025: Publication of the list of duly registered candidates.
- March 21, 2025: Deadline for submission of Vision Statements by candidates.
- April 22, 2025: Deadline for Governors to submit questions for candidates.
- May 28, 2025: Conversation between the Board of Governors and each candidate.
- May 29, 2025: Election of the President during the Annual Meeting.
The new president will face significant challenges, including addressing Africa’s debt crisis and navigating financial pressures from proposed U.S. funding cuts. As Returning Officer for the 2025 African Development Bank (AfDB) presidential elections, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and smooth conduct of the voting process. His responsibilities are defined under Article 5 of the Bank’s electoral rules, which govern the election of the AfDB President.
🗳️ Responsibilities of the Returning Officer (Dr. Forson):
- Verifying the Ballot Box
- Prior to each round of voting, he must verify and display that the ballot box is empty before sealing it in the presence of the voting delegates.
- Monitoring Ballot Casting
- He ensures that the number of ballots cast corresponds exactly to the number of eligible voters present, preventing ballot stuffing or irregularities.
- Validating Ballots
- He is tasked with rejecting any invalid ballots (e.g., improperly marked or ambiguous votes) and ensuring only valid votes are included in the count.
- Certifying Results
- After each round, Dr. Forson must certify the tally of the votes, officially confirming the outcome and whether a candidate has secured the necessary support to win.
- Maintaining Procedural Integrity
- Throughout the process, he must guarantee compliance with procedural rules, ensuring the election is conducted in accordance with the AfDB’s statutes and that all member states are treated equitably.
Dr. Forson’s appointment reflects the confidence of the AfDB’s Board of Governors in his experience, neutrality, and administrative acumen, especially given the high stakes involved in selecting a leader to steer the Bank amid pressing economic and development challenges across the continent.
