Dutch Member of Parliament (MP) Don Ceder has once again been named the most valuable parliamentarian in the Dutch House of Representatives, marking a notable achievement for both Dutch politics and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Ceder, a member of the Christian Union (ChristenUnie), previously received the same distinction in 2025, making this his second time being recognized as the best-performing politician in the Dutch Parliament.
The ranking is based on parliamentary performance and offers an assessment of how effectively MPs fulfil their duties.
For Ceder, the recognition reflects his commitment to public service, integrity, and effective parliamentary work.
Ceder has built a reputation around issues of justice, social responsibility, and community service. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer representing vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Born and raised in Amsterdam, his Ghanaian and Surinamese heritage has also played an important role in shaping his outlook on public service.
Ceder previously gained international recognition when he was selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in 2018 in the Law & Policy category.
His Ghanaian roots remain a source of inspiration. Ceder has often spoken about the values he inherited from his family, including resilience, faith and solidarity, and how these principles guide his work as a public servant.
Reacting to the latest recognition, Ceder expressed gratitude and dedicated the achievement to the first generation of Ghanaians who settled in the Netherlands.
“We thank God for His strength and guidance. To be awarded twice is not something I take lightly. I would like to dedicate this recognition to the first generations of Ghanaians who came to the Netherlands. Because of them, we can stand on their shoulders.”
The recognition is based on the National Political Index, which tracks the parliamentary performance of members of the Dutch House of Representatives.
The index uses data maintained by the House of Representatives and assesses MPs using a range of indicators related to their parliamentary duties.
By focusing on parliamentary performance rather than media visibility alone, the index highlights an important but often less visible aspect of democratic politics: how elected representatives actually carry out their responsibilities in Parliament.
His recognition serves as another example of the positive influence that members of the Ghanaian diaspora can have in public life, both in the Netherlands and on the international stage.
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