Ato Forson Named Returning Officer For AfDB Presidential Elections

Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB), taking place during the Bank’s ongoing Annual Meetings.

The elections will determine the successor to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB’s 8th elected President, who was first chosen by the Bank’s Board of Governors on May 28, 2015, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Five candidates from various African nations are vying for the position:

Mr. Amadou Hott – Senegal
Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo – Zambia
Dr. Sidi Ould Tah – Mauritania
Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli – Chad
Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala – South Africa

As Returning Officer, Dr. Forson is tasked with overseeing a fair and transparent voting process in accordance with Article 5 of the Bank’s electoral guidelines. His responsibilities include confirming the ballot box is empty prior to each voting round, ensuring the number of ballots cast matches the number of eligible voters, invalidating any improper ballots, and certifying only valid votes are counted.

He will be supported by the Secretary General, the General Counsel, and a technical team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of vote counting, as outlined in Article 7 of the rules.

Dr. Forson’s selection reflects the Board of Governors’ confidence in his integrity, professionalism, and dedication to transparency and sound governance within international financial institutions.

I am honoured to have been appointed as the Returning Officer for the presidential elections of the African Development Bank (AfDB), taking place today.

The elections will determine the next President of the AfDB Group, following the conclusion of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s tenure.… pic.twitter.com/e1KpgyJFZi

— Cassiel Ato Forson (PhD) (@Cassielforson) May 29, 2025

Source: AdomOnline.com