He said the salaries of the Members of Parliament must be reviewed and he will help to achieve that.

Prof Mike Oquaye added that, Parliament needed a new chamber as well as a good library to facilitate its work.

In his acceptance address after taking the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood on January 7, 2017, Prof Oquaye said, “I want to use this opportunity to convey to our country men and women – we should seriously better the lot of our MPs. Why can’t MPs be given official vehicles for their work as pertains in other places? Then they can get loans for other vehicles for other uses.”

“Hon. Members, we have a need for a New Chamber, good library, books, mimeographs, researchers which go beyond National Service Personnel. I believe I can help in seeking the needed assistance for Parliament to improve the salaries and conditions of work for MPs,” he added.

He lamented that, Members of Parliament were not given official cars for their work, as it is done in other parliaments.

While urging the New Parliament to work hard in the interest of the country, he said the dignity of the house will not be compromised.

“The dignity of this House is crucial and with your cooperation that dignity shall not be compromised. We owe this to all Ghanaians. You have Parliamentary immunity and immerse privileges which cannot be toyed with by any person, body or authority. I shall help to maintain this without fail. There are privileges and responsibilities. If you abuse the trust, you will be dealt with.”

He warned the MPs that they will be severely penalized if they fall foul to the law.

“No charge of corruption or abuse of office should come nigh thee. If you fall foul of the law, the Special Prosecutor will not be expected to spare you. A law maker cannot be a lawbreaker.”

He also called on the MPs to ensure punctuality and active participation in the activities of the house, hinting of a new technology that will be introduced in the house to check attendance and movements of MPs in the house.

“A machine will in future register the attendance of MPs automatically. This will be arranged, and I trust MPs will embrace it to set a good example to all Ghanaian workers.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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In his acceptance speech as the Speaker of the 7^th  Parliament of the 4^th Republic, Prof Oquaye said, he intends to be fair to all during his tenure.

“It is a unique opportunity to serve our dear nation. I look forward to maximizing the opportunities for every member to contribute. I trust the experienced ones will mentor the up-coming. Those who sit in front should please learn to look behind them to allow others to contribute and remember that whereas they cannot normally see from the back of their heads, I have been placed on this platform so that everyone can catch my eye. I intend to be fair to all and therefore seek your understanding in advance.”

While encouraging new Members of Parliament to be vocal and get involved in Parliamentary business, he said he will work with the leadership of the House to devise means of encouraging new MPs to contribute to discussions on the floor.

“I need to remind the new MPs that the highly procedural nature of Parliament calls for an equally high level of commitment to the rules and procedures of the institution. Serious learning will therefore have to be undertaken to sharpen your competencies in order to function optimally,” he added.

He called on all parliamentarians to work hard to uphold and defend the constitution of the country and work in the interest of all Ghanaians.

Rt. Hon Mike Oquaye described as “tragic”, the inability of Members of Parliament to initiate legislation independent of the Executive.

He called for a change in the practice, adding that it was an archaic one from the UK Parliament.

“The principle was that, the Commons would not give to the King/Queen, monies that the Crown had not asked for. But over the years, the British Parliament has developed means of allowing private members to introduce legislation. Recent studies I have made show that, there are a number of procedures whereby Private Members may initiate bills. Certainly, the Executive cannot sit aside while Parliament alone passes laws which impose obligations which the Executive cannot meet. We shall broaden our horizon in the lawmaking process to benefit our people.”

On boycotts and walkouts, he said he was hopeful the House will develop “systems of accommodation, tolerance and openness that will minimize this practice to the barest minimum.”

Rt. Hon Oquaye further bemoaned the low representation of women in Parliament, saying there was a need for a study of the factors accounting for the problem, and find ways of addressing it.

He further mentioned that, the house needed a New Chamber, a good library among other things, to enable it further carry out its duties effectively.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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The seventh parliament of the Fourth Republic will run for a four-year term.

The 275 MPs including several first timers, were led by the new Speaker, Prof. Mike Oquaye, to take the oath of the Member of Parliament, as well as the oath of allegiance.

This was after the new Speaker had himself been sworn into office by the Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), with 171 seats in Parliament, form the majority, and have therefore moved from the new Speaker’s left hand side to occupy seats to his right, while the outgoing NDC administration, with 104 MPs forming the minority side, have moved to the left side.

Professor Mike Oquaye now leads the House as the new Speaker of Parliament, while Joseph Osei-Owusu, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai constituency, has been elected as the First Deputy Speaker, with the NDC’s Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin, elected the 2nd Deputy Speaker.

The Member of Parliament for the Suame constituency, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, is the Majority Leader in the new parliament, and with Sarah Adjoa Sarfo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya, serving as his Deputy, the second female to take that position after the late Gladys Asmah.

The NDC’s Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, is the Minority Leader, who will be deputized by the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, James Klutse Avedzi.

Other leaders selected for the side are Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, who will maintain his position as the Chief Whip, with the Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, and the Member of Parliament for Ada East, Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, serving as deputy chief whips.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 7th parliament inaugurated; New MPs sworn-in [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Two parliamentarians, James Klutse Avedzi and Haruna Idrissu have been touted as possible candidates for the Minority leadership position, and according to Mr. Avoka, one with a legal background will be better placed to serve as a leader for the minority NDC in the 7th parliament.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dB33H1bI7vzZ7ugVjPck2f2bHm9VpjIX”]Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, Cletus Avoka said, “I have worked with the two gentlemen and I know their capacities… I think Haruna Iddrisu is very resourceful and if he can combine that with having a listening ear, being tolerant with the bench behind him, he will be a very good leader. Avedzi too has held the position of the chairman of the finance committee and served without blemish. That is his background and I know he is a good material; but as to whether that can transform into an effective leader, is another matter.”

He said the NDC side in parliament requires a very good and effective leader that can help them make positive contributions that will eventually help get the party back to power.

“We need a very strong leader, good leader and a good administrator. Besides leading them in parliament, he’s also their leader outside parliament. If you cannot manage and galvanize them outside parliament, you’ll find it difficult controlling them in the chamber.”

“With modern trends, somebody with a legal background will normally be very useful in parliament particularly in leadership because of his appreciation of interpretation and constitution analysis and standing orders of the house,” he said.

The minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the next parliament, which will be constituted on 6th January, 2017, is yet to select its leaders.

James Klutse Avedzi who is Member of Parliament for the Ketu North constituency and Haruna Iddrisu, Tamale Central Member of Parliament, appear to be the two leading candidates for the position.

‘NDC Volta caucas backs Avedzi for position’

Meanwhile, the Volta caucus of the NDC is pushing for the election of the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament as Minority Leader.

According to the Member of Parliament for the Keta Constituency and Spokesperson for the caucus, Richard Quarshigah, Mr. Avedzi is the most qualified MP to lead the NDC at this stage.

‘Mike Oquaye will be next Speaker’

Mike Oquaye is next Speaker  The NPP on the other side per information available to citifmonline.com, will select Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, a former Member of Parliament for the Dome-Kwabenya constituency as next Speaker of Parliament, whilst Minority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, will become the Majority Leader.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Haruna Iddrisu apt for Minority leader position – Avoka appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.