Right Honourable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament has ordered responsible sponsoring government agencies and Institutions to resubmit Bills that were not passed by the seventh Parliament to the House early for consideration.
He said “some Draft Legislations which are critical laws could not be passed by the previous Parliaments and these have gone into abeyance with the dissolution of the 7th Parliament such as the Affirmative Action Bill, Spousal Rights Bill, Standing Orders of the House which has been pending before the House since 2002, the Budget Bill, International Business and Agreements Bill.
Right Honourable Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin gave the order in a speech to begin the meeting of the eighth Parliament.
The speaker called on Parliament to expeditiously deal with the review of the Standing Orders of the House and said he vision a bipartisan, inclusive, participatory, responsive, efficient, and effective Parliament.
Honorable Bagbin said the eight Parliament will have to work to earn the respect of the people of Ghana and to restore the image and dignity of the Institution.
“There is nothing more noble and satisfying than to render service to the people. I would like to end by echoing the words of President Akufo-Addo, when he delivered his Message on the State of the Nation on the dissolution of the 7th Parliament (and I quote): “The good people of Ghana have spoken and given Parliament almost equal strength on both sides of the House; we have no choice but to work with the consequences of the desires of the People. The House would have to be more accommodating of each other’s views and, probably, devise new ways of conducting its affairs.”
“I fully subscribe to that view. No more, no less. Cooperation, dialogue, accommodation, and consensus-building must guide this Parliament in the conduct of its business. We must work together for the betterment of Ghana and Ghanaians. That I believe is the demand of Ghanaians and the loud and clear message of the 2020 general elections. That is the message in the votes of 136 in favor of Rt Hon. Aaron Mike Oquaye, as to 138 for Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, with one spoilt ballot, which propelled me to this high office of Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana. The battle is always the Lords. Glory be to the Highest God.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
