The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has said clearly, there is no opportunity now for a roaring and tumultuous majority vote which sometimes gets it catastrophically wrong and neither is there an opportunity to be an obstruction opposition. He said the unique composition of 137 Members apiece, with equal numbers in terms of the gender distribution of 117 males and 20 females, and just one Independent Member altering the equation, gives this Parliament a unique membership structure so they have no choice but to comply with the dictates and consequences of the new order which comes with such a composition. In his Opening Remarks on First Meeting Of Second Session Sitting, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin said, “Indeed, it captures one of the four important traditional insignia of the Parliamentary logo; Akofena – the state ceremonial swords symbolizing the balance of power, political and legal authority and legitimacy.”
The speaker said “another area the eighth Parliament has shown a bright light is the vigorous implementation of the decision of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic to permit the introduction of PMBs. This is a welcome development. I am very encouraged with how Hon. Members have seriously taken advantage of this opportunity and are submitting draft bills in various areas of our lives for my admission and reference to the Legislative drafting Department to process for further action. I commend and urge Members to continue to identify these challenges or shortcomings of the legal regime of the country to proffer solutions through the initiation and sponsorship of PMBs. Under my leadership and the support of the Parliamentary Service, Parliament will continue to provide the requisite logistical and technical support to such private member initiatives. ”
“Hon Members, this is one of the reasons why Parliament must quicken its efforts to create an enabling environment for civil society actors to engage and partner Parliament in the performance of its functions, whilst it takes action to reform, restructure, strengthen and empower itself. It is with this commitment that I, once more, call on and invite civil society and private sector leaders to assist in the formulation of an acceptable framework on how to formally engage and partner Parliament in the performance of its functions. ”
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kofi Atakora
