The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to play their part to help the Seventh Parliament to leave an indelible mark in the history of Parliaments in the Fourth Republic.
According to him, the execution of the Private Members Bill for the first time by the Seventh Parliament will set them apart for a special mention in the history of Ghana’s Parliament for years to come.
The Speaker made this known during his welcome address on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the resumption of parliamentary sittings after the Christmas holidays.
“As Members of the 7th Parliament, we need to have exceptional view and commitment to the legacy and memory and leave a mark in the history of Parliament in Ghana.
“I therefore respectfully urge all members to actively collaborate with the Majority and Minority Leaders in the legislative and drafting unit at the Speaker’s office to also work towards us leaving a mark with the Private Members Bill now that we have agreed on the principles and the modalities,” he stated.
In the history of Ghana’s Parliament under the fourth Republican constitution, all Bills have emanated only from the Executive arm of government due to an interpretation of a clause in the constitution which stipulates that proponents of Bills must also be in the position to sponsor them.
However, since the assumption of office as the Speaker in January 2017, Professor Mike Oquaye has held a different view. He has served notice that Parliament indeed has the right to sponsor Bills and would use his office to change the status quo.
Professor Oquaye said some of the Private Member’s Bills that are being considered by Parliament includes: Public Order Amendment Bill; Electoral Offences and Related Malpractices Bill; Budget Bill; Road Traffic Amendment Bill, Reproductive Assisted Amendment Bill, among others.
Source: Clement Akoloh || africanewsradio.com