Consensus building marked the opening of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic in Accra as both sides of the House agreed unopposed to the nomination of Mrs. Justice Joyce Adelaine Bamford-Addo, a former justice of the Supreme
Court, as the new Speaker of the House.
Shouts of "agbe naa, agbe naa" (It is accomplished, it is accomplished) rang out in the Chamber after the soft-spoken Speaker, administered the oaths of allegiance and Member of Parliament to the 228 elected representatives of the Ghanaian citizenry. Two seats are yet to be filled.
Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye, New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Ayawaso Central, as well as other big wigs now the minority, exchanged pleasantries, including hugs, with members from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), now the majority side.
Mrs. Justice Bamford-Addo, 71 , who was inadvertently referred to as "Mr" because of the provision in the Standing Order, commended the Members of the House on their election or
re-election into the House, but gavelled down the excitement to call the House to order as Members ensured their names were in the attendance register.
The House accepted the nomination of Mr Doe Adjaho, MP for Avenor Ave (NDC), as First Deputy Speaker and Prof Mike Ocquaye, MP for Dome Kwabenya (NPP) as Second Deputy Speaker.
Mr Osei-Kyei Mensa Bonsu, Minority Leader said Mr Adjaho, a lawyer, was a knowledgeable Member of the House and had proved to be one of the best materials.
Prof Ocquaye's nomination was put forward by Mr Kwame Osei- Prempeh, (NPP-Nsuta Kwamang Besposo) and seconded by Ms Akua Sena Dansua (NDC-North Dayi).
Prof Ocqaye is a lawyer, former head of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, a reverend minister and also former Ghana High Commissioner in New Delhi. He was also
Minister of Energy and Communications.