Congratulations Senior, it is with deep honour and privilege to pen down my internal feelings for you as you have assumed one of the enviable positions in Ghana in accordance with our school motor, ‘arise and shine’ and it is written that, “arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you”.
Yes, indeed you’ve risen among a lot and shined like the morning star from the Eastern part of Atidzive, sitting at the Western Conner of Abor Senior High as an innocent but very brilliant student and proceeded to The University Ghana Legon, Law School.
Cheers Efo Benard, for a well-earned election as First Deputy of the Republic, your leadership style and dedication procedure issues and Parliamentary business in the interest of the public has brought you to the limelight for your selection and subsequently voted for.
Henceforth, your colleagues, Members of Parliament and as well as well-meaning Ghanaians shall accord you with needed respect, and address as ‘Mr. Speaker’.
Your elevation is a demonstration to your hard work and the confidence that your constituents and the good people of Akatsi South, Avenor and the good people of Volta region have in you.
Keep the good work up my brother because it is written in Matthew 20:25-28 that, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be a servant. These biblical words reflect your actions as a good servant throughout your legal career.
Your obligation to community service is really inspirational. I wish you all the best in your new role and look forward to seeing the positive changes you will bring to the speakership
Leadership structure of Parliament consists of the Speaker – The Speaker presides over the Parliament and enforces observance of all rules that govern its conduct. After a general election, the majority party in Parliament in consultation with other parties nominates a Speaker to be voted for and currently, Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin is the Speaker in the Ninth parliament.
The Speaker cannot be a Member of Parliament though they must possess the qualifications to stand for elections as a Member of Parliament, such a person on appointment as Speaker must resign and declare the seat occupied in Parliament as vacant. The Speaker is assisted by two Deputy Speakers (First and Second Deputy Speakers), who are elected at the commencement of every Parliament. They must come from different political parties.
First Deputy Speaker in person Bernard Ahiafor will preside over the sittings of Parliament whenever the Speaker is absent.
Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah will preside over the sittings of Parliament in the absence of the Speaker and the First Deputy Speaker . Other members are: The Majority Leader, the Deputy Majority Leader, the Minority Leader and the Deputy Minority Leader.
Bernard Ahiafor was born on 6th February 1973 and a Member of Parliament representing the Akatsi South constituency in the Volta Region on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
Lawyer Ahiafor hails from Atidzive, Akatsi. He obtained O-Levels at Abor Senior High School, Abor and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana, Legon.
Ahiafor first contested the Akatsi South constituency parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress during this constituency 2012 by-election, when the member parliament for the constituency Edward Doe Adjaho became the Speaker of parliament for Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. He was elected with 12, 079 votes of the total votes.
The author: Edzorna Francis Mensah
(Journalist, Political Commentator, Public Policy Analyst)
edzornanews@gmail.com