Lobbying for Speakership of Parliament intensifies


The Sixth Parliament will soon come to an end paving the way for the inauguration of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic. 

Radio Ghana’s sources have indicated that stern lobbying is taking place within corridors of the new administration for the Speakership position. 

What qualities should the in-coming administration look out for in nominating the next Speaker of Parliament? 

Radio Ghana’s Parliamentary Correspondent Dominic Hlordzi in this report finds out from the Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Rasheed Draman what the NPP Majority Caucus in the new Parliament should look at in the nomination of a new Speaker of the Legislature.  

The Speaker of Parliament serves as the presiding officer of the House. He or she admits questions, motions and statements. 

The Speaker maintains order in the House, rules on questions of Parliamentary procedure and privileges as well as presides over debates and voting in the Chamber. 

A Speaker of the august House requires competent skills of a referee. 

According to the Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Rasheed Draman the Speaker for the 7th Parliament must be someone who will be fair in his dealings in and outside Parliament and must be guided by the mood of the nation in carrying out his duties. 

Names like Hon. Papa Owusu Ankomah outgoing MP for Sekondi, Former Deputy Speaker Prof. Mike Ocquaye, Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Ayikoi Otoo, among others have come up. 

What do you make of this potential Speaker list?  

Article 95 Clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution states that there shall be a Speaker of Parliament who shall be elected by the members of Parliament from among persons who are members of Parliament or who are qualified to be elected as members of Parliament. What will be the recommendation of the Parliamentary Centre- getting the Speaker from within or outside the House? 

Looking into the future Dr. Draman envisaged the 7th Parliament to be one that will be at the side of the Citizens at all times.

The 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic which will be inaugurated in January 2017 will have to perform its legislative, representation and oversight responsibilities in a bye-partisan manner, build consensus and avoid what is termed the “rubber stamp” culture which has characterized past Parliaments. 

Two Deputy Speakers will also be nominated to assist the Speaker, one from the Majority caucus and the other from the Minority side. 

Listen to Dominique Hlodzi's audio report. 


GBC