Speaker of Parliament must be voted for, not appointed – Dr. Richardson

A political scientist Dr. Theophilus Richardson is proposing for a future Speaker of Parliament to be elected to that high office instead of being appointed.

According to him, it is not right for the Speaker not voted for to superintend over a House occupied by Members of Parliament who have stood elections and have won.

Speaking on Nkawkaw based Agoo Fm with Obaahemaa Yaa Mirekua, the political historian cum economist said the Speaker must stand election just as is done in the US and Britain.

“I don’t see why we should elect Members of Parliament and then appoint someone from outside to be Speaker to exercise oversight responsibility over MPs who are elected. The Constitution must be amended in this regard. The Speaker of Parliament is the Head of Parliament, he exercises oversight over people elected when he or she is not elected. This undermines the elective principle so the Speaker must be elected as well.

“The Speaker should be one of the elected MPs, and that should be done on consensus. The persons must know that he plays that role as a fair referee. I think the late Ala Adjatey tried to do that to the best of his ability. A future Speaker must first be elected as an MP and then later voted for to become the Speaker,” Dr. Theophilus Richardson.