News:
January 15, 2021
The Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, Alban Bagbin has assured the august House that he will be fair and impartial in the discharge of his duties in his new role.
“I intend to live by the Oath I swore on the occasion of my election to this office, to respect, obey, and abide by the will of the House. I am fully committed to being fair and impartial. But I am also fully committed to being firm,” he stated.
Addressing the second sitting of the 8th parliament, Mr. Bagbin reiterated that there is no NPP Speaker or NDC Speaker; there is only a Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana.
“While past practice might lead some to think otherwise, the truth of the matter is that the Speakership is not a partisan-political office. Regardless of which party nominated or voted to elect him or her, and regardless of his or her previous political background, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana occupies a nonpartisan, impartial office.”
Adding that the independence and impartiality of the Speaker is particularly evident from one line in the Speaker’s Oath, which cannot be found in the Presidential Oath, the Oath of Vice-President, the Oath for Ministers of State and Cabinet, or the Oath of a Member of Parliament; and reads: “And I will do right to all manner of persons in accordance with the Constitution and the laws and conventions of Parliament without fear or favor, affection or ill will.”
The speaker called on members to be respectful, and abide by his rulings and instructions. “When in disagreement, the Standing Orders of the House, has the answer. I will apply the authority of the House as symbolized by the Mace, to protect and defend the prerogatives, privileges, and immunities of Parliament, members, and staff as provided under the laws of the country”, he assured.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com