Parliament is set to consider 69 bills, 125 papers and 16 public motions as it reconvened from recess yesterday.
Aside that, it is also expected to embark on a number of activities such as lectures, public discussions, roundtable discussions and other for a, in commemoration of its 30th anniversary to promote Ghana’s Parliamentary democracy.
“The second meeting promises to be an activity packed one. Before we went on recess, I informed you of a number of activities…”, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin said, whilst welcoming members back to the house.
Speaker Bagbin told the MPs that to promote parliamentary democracy in Ghana, Parliament would embark on a number of activities such as public lectures and discussions, debate, as well as fora in various parts of the country and around the world.
CPA conference in Ghana
He also noted yesterday that Parliament will host the 66th Commonwealth Parliament Association (CPA) conference, which is scheduled to take place from September 30th to October 6th.
Prior to the reading of the welcome address and the commencement of business in the house yesterday, Speaker Bagbin swore in the new MP for Kumawu constituency, Mr Ernest Yaw Anim, who replaces the deceased former MP, Mr Philip Basoah.
Speaker Bagbin administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance to Mr Anim, who has since assumed his role in parliament as an MP.
Mr Anim, representing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), emerged victorious in the recently held by-election in Kumawu.
He garnered an impressive 15,264 votes to outperform his competitors, Kwasi Amankwaa from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and two Independent Candidates, Kwaku Duah and Kwaku Duah I.
Mr Kwasi Amankwaa secured 3,723 votes whilst Kwaku Duah I received 2,478 votes. The other Kwaku Duah managed to poll only 62 votes.
Acting on Supreme Courts judgement on Gyakye Quayson
Meanwhile, Speaker Bagbin has tasked the House to decide on a procedure to expunge the name of the deposed MP for Assin North, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, from the records of Parliament, as directed by the Supreme Court (SC) on May 17, 2023.
The SC directed parliament to expunge the name of Mr Quayson from its records after ruling that the election and swearing in of the now deposed MP was unconstitutional and in contravention with Article 94 (2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.
Addressing the House yesterday, Mr Bagbin said that the practice of expunging a member’s name from its records is novel. He noted that neither the Constitution nor the Standing Orders of Parliament provided procedure for doing so, hence his call on MPs to decide on a procedure.
