Parliament Today: No Speaker, A Member Takes Charge

The proceedings of Parliament on Friday, February 16, 2024, commenced with the election of a member to preside.

This was necessitated by the absence of the Right Honourable Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and his two deputies, Joseph Osei Owusu and Andrews Asiamah Amoako.

In their absence, the House elected former majority chief whip Ameyaw-Cheremeh to preside over the day’s proceedings.

In accordance with Order 12(4), “Whenever the Speaker, the First Deputy Speaker, and the Second Deputy Speaker are unavoidably absent, the Clerk shall chair the sitting for the election of a member to preside at that sitting of the House, as the Member Presiding.”

When the Clerk invited nominations, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, nominated the MP for Suyani East, AKwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh.
His nomination was, without contention, seconded by the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu.

The question was then put for the voice vote of the entire House to seal the nomination, a question that received a yes for an answer.

The four-term Suyani East MP rose from his seat amidst cheers from his colleagues and made his way to the Speaker’s chair.

He bowed to the maze before sitting, and his first words were, “Honourable Members prayers,” which he led as pertained to the practice of the House.

The House mainly considered and adopted the business scheduled for next week and adjourned, as members are to attend a workshop on the new standing orders.