Speaker urges MPs to show maturity in campaigning

Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, has advised members to exhibit the highest level of maturity in the face of any provocation as they campaign.

He reminded the lawmakers to protect the integrity of the House, saying they are duty bound to keep the country peaceful and united.

Mr Adjaho gave the advice in remarks to the House, before it adjourned sine die.

Parliament is likely to resume sitting late September or early November, before the December 7, Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The House, during the period had 45 sittings within a period of 12 weeks, which commenced on May 12.

Mr Adjaho commended the lawmakers, his two deputies, the leadership and membership of the House, the staff of Parliament for their handwork during the period.

He, however, discounted allegations that the house had delayed work on the Right to Information Bill.

Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, in a statement read on his behalf was disappointed the House could not reach a consensus on the Constitution Amendment Bill but said the collective decision of members must be respected.

The amendment of the Bill was to empower the Electoral Commission (EC) to change the voting date from the current December 7 to November 7.

However, the House by a majority vote rejected the new proposed date on the grounds that the Commission had a lot more to do to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

“I was particularly delighted with the smooth and incident-free voting by members and it is my prayer that the people of Ghana, particularly the voting public will emulate our example and ensure that the December polls are peaceable and free of violence,” Mr Bagbin said.

The Minority Leader; Osei Kyei-Mensa- Bonsu, urged members to use the recess to encourage their constituents to verify whether their names have been deleted or not in the Voters Register.

He said for those whose names have been deleted they should re-register in order for them to exercise their franchise in the up-coming elections.

In the wake of publications that affected the House during the sittings, the Minority Leader submitted that the time has come for the House to strengthen the Public Affairs Department of Parliament, to inform the public on the outcome of major issues that come before the House to avoid misrepresentation.

He assured Ghanaians that the Minority would maintain a partnership with the Media to ensure that the Government is continuously kept on its toes.

Some of the passed during the sitting were the Maritime Pollution Bill, Chartered Institute of Taxation Bill, Revenue Administration Bill, National Disaster Management Organisation Bill, Supplementary Appropriation, Technical Universities Bill a [G1] and Bank of Ghana (Amendments Bill).

Others are the Securities Industries Bill, Public Financial Management Bill, Petroleum (Exploration and Production Bill, Ghana Deposit Production Bill and Banks and Special Deposits Protection Bill.

The Minister of Finance was also in the House to present the Mid-year Review and Supplementary Estimates for the year 2016.

The House also considered three nominations by President John Dramani Mahama for appointment as Deputy Ministers of State.

They were Mr Emmanuel Bombande as Deputy Ministered Designate of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Joseph Angmor Tetteh as Deputy Minister Designate for Eastern Region and Mr John Bless Oti as Deputy Minister Designate for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Two of the nominees, Mr Bombande and Mr Tetteh were approved by the House, with that of Mr Oti deferred.

The House lost Mr Peter Wiafe Pepera, former MP for Abetifi, who was replaced by Mr Bryan Acheampong in a bye- election.

Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo, who also replaced slain MP; JB Danquah-Adu, and Mr Acheampong were sworn in as MPs.