As the spotlight remains on the historic developments in Ghana’s 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic, I have keenly followed many interesting debates and multiple viewpoints about the implications of the current unprecedented and fascinating configuration of Parliament (137-137-1).
Matters relating to whether there is a majority caucus properly so called; the formula for committee membership allocations; which side chairs committees requiring majority control; should chairmanship of committees be shared equally to reflect current realities and so on and so forth.
Only one man can settle this debate and that man is the Speaker of Parliament.
Standing Order 5 provides: In case of doubt, these Orders shall be interpreted by Mr. Speaker as he deems fit.
Standing Order 6 presents even more authoritative clarity: In all cases not provided for in these Orders, Mr. Speaker shall make provisions as he deems fit.
As the courts have held, parliament is the master of its procedures. In addition to that, our Standing Orders confer on the Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament tremendous powers which are extremely difficult to challenge.
I have deep confidence that the Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, Ghana’s most experienced and most decorated legislator who has been a treasure trove to the august House and now having been elected Rt. Hon. Speaker can surely be relied upon to bring to bear his fountain of rich and unmatched legislative knowledge as he rules shortly on all these vexed matters.
May God be his guide and may the supreme national interest be his inspiration.
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