Both old and new Members of Parliament in the Sixth Parliament were full of excitement after they were sown in by Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, newly elected Speaker of Parliament and member elect for Akatsi South in the Volta region.
Mr Adjaho was sworn in as Speaker by the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, and he took the oath of allegiance and the oath of Speaker.
This followed the dissolution of the fifth Parliament on Sunday 12 midnight and the inauguration of the sixth Parliament which was carried out by Mr Emmanuel Anyimadu, Clerk to Parliament who expressed satisfaction of quorum and order the election of Leaders that is the Speaker, First and Second Deputy Speakers.
They took two oaths, that of allegiance and of member of Parliament administered by Mr Adjaho who himself was nominated by Dr Benjamin Kuubuor, Majority Leader and member for Nandom in the Upper West Region seconded by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Minority Leader.
The 274 members could be seen moving around from seat to seat exchanging pleasantries, shaking hands and embracing as well as congratulating each other on the floor of Parliament.
The newly sworn in members then elected the leaders of the House with Mr Agbesi Kwame Agbesi, member for Ashaiman, Deputy Majority Leader, nominating Mr Barton Oduro, member for Cape Coast constituency as first Deputy Speaker which was seconded by Mr Dominic Nitiwul, Deputy Minority Leader.
Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader, also nominated Mr Joe Ghartey for second deputy speaker and this was seconded by Dr Benjamin Kuubuor who referred to Mr Ghartey as his former school mate at the University.
Dr Kuubuor in accepting Mr Ghartey's nomination said the majority side of the House believe in democratic principles and have thus set the standards so their colleagues in the minority should emulate.
After this Mr Adjaho declared Mr Ghartey as the second Deputy Speaker and after that he called on both first and second Deputy Speakers to assume their seats.
Mr Adhajo earlier in his acceptance speech requested the support and cooperation of members, adding that he was looking to be a true servant of the House and urged members to uphold sanctity of the House.
He also appealed to members to conduct the affairs of the House with discipline and commitment.
Dr Kuubuor later announced that members were to assemble at the House to be conveyed to the Independence Square for the inauguration of President-Elect John Dramani Mahama.
Leaders of the majority side of the House include, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor as majority Leader, Mr Alfred Agbesi, member for Ashaiman, Deputy Majority Leader, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, member for Asawase, Majority Chief Whip and Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo member for Savelugu, Deputy Whip.
Minority side has Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu member for Suame as Minority Leader, Mr Dominic Nitiwul member for Bimbilla as Deputy Minority Leader and Mr Dan Botwe, member Okere, minority Chief Whip, Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo member for Tema West as Deputy Minority Whip.
The late Mr Henry Ford Kamel, member for Beum who would have been part of the group, passed on December 25, 2012.