Free Tsatsu Campaign rejects presidential pardon

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - The Free Tsatsu Campaign on Tuesday rejected the pardon granted to Mr Tsatsu Tsikata by President John Agyekum Kufuor who left office at midnight on Tuesday describing it as "offensive". The "free, absolute and unconditional pardon" that the President has granted to Mr Tsikata on his last day in office is as offensive as the manipulation of the judiciary by the executive and confirms the injustice done to Mr Tsikata, the Campaign said in a statement signed by Mr Kwesi Pratt for the Convenor.

The statement read: "We have learned in the last few hours that President Kufuor has issued an unconditional pardon to Tsatsu Tsikata in the dying hours of his administration. "The Campaign has on several occasions stated its stark opposition to any presidential pardon.

"We believe that the prosecution and conviction of Mr Tsikata represents a rank abuse of power and corruption of the legal system for political and personal vendetta.

"The perpetrators of this injustice will not be allowed to get away with their active attempts to subvert judicial and constitutional processes." Mr Tsikata is currently receiving medical treatment at the Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital and is pursuing his appeal against the conviction on June 18, 2008 by Mrs Henrietta Abban for wilfully causing financial loss to the state. 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 04 Politics Speaker Oath Oath of a Speaker

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - The following is the Oath of a Speaker to be sworn before the Chief Justice. I............do (in the name of the Almighty God swear) (solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Ghana as by law established; that I will uphold the integrity of the Republic of Ghana; that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as Speaker of Parliament; and that I will uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana; and that I will do right to all manner of persons in accordance with the Constitution of Ghana and the laws and conventions of Parliament without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. (So help me God). 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 05 Politics Parliament History A brief historical background of the Legislature of Ghana

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Ghana achieved independence on March 6, 1957. The political struggles that preceded this historic event date back over a hundred years ago. The early period of nationalist struggle for political independence created political awareness and desire to assert the right of self-determination both for the individual and the State. As far back as 1850, Ghana, then the Gold Coast, was given its own Legislative Council to advise the colonial Governor in enacting legislation mainly in the form of Ordinances "for peace, order and good government of the subject." The Legislative Council was purely advisory as the Governor exercised all legislative and executive powers. In 1916 the Legislative Council was reconstituted to include nine nominated unofficial members, six of whom were Africans. The first Legislative Council elections ever to be held took place in 1925 under the Guggisberg Constitution. Under this arrangement the Governor still retained complete control of legislation. Under the 1946 Burns Constitution that replaced the Guggisberg Constitution, the representatives of the people formed the majority in the Legislative Council. The Governor ceased to be ex-officio President of the Legislative Council, paving the way for an unofficial member to be appointed President. This system continued until 1951 when the legislature elected its first Speaker under the 1950 Constitution. In 1951 the first large-scale elections to the Legislative Assembly took place when 75 members were elected. There were three nominated ex-officio members and six special members representing commercial mining interests. The 1955 transitional Constitution provided for an Assembly of a Speaker and 104 Members elected on party lines on the basis of universal adult suffrage. In 1957 when Ghana achieved full political independence, the Constitution was fashioned after the Westminster model. In June 1960, 10 women were elected by the National Assembly to fill specially created seats. This was done to expose women to parliamentary life. This system of election was not intended to be permanent. The Act made no provision in filling a vacancy caused by death, resignation or expulsion of a woman member. On July 1, 1960, Ghana became a sovereign unitary Republic. In February 1964 Ghana adopted a one-party system of Government. The first National Assembly of the Republic was dissolved in 1965 and a General Election which comprised 198 members, all of the Convention People's Party (CPP), were elected unopposed. The 1964 Constitutional Amendments among other things increased the powers and prerogatives of the President. In February 1966, the First Republican Government was overthrown by a military coup, which installed a military government that remained in power up to September 1969. On its own volition, the military administration handed over power to another constitutionally elected government, and thereby restored parliamentary rule once again. After 22 months in office, the Second parliamentary democracy also succumbed to another military rule between 1972. In September 1979 the military government was compelled to usher in the Third Republican Parliamentary system. Parliamentary democracy was once thrown into cold storage as a result of yet another military intervention in December 1981. However, the country returned to constitutional rule again on January 7, 1993, with 200 members. Constitutional rule has survived a third term. The Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic has 230 members. 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 06 Politics Parliament Mace The Mace, the symbol of Parliament's authority

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - The Mace, the symbol of authority of Parliament, is entrusted to the Speaker. The daily Speaker's procession into the Chamber is led by the Marshal with the Mace signifying the ceremonial opening of each Sitting day in the House. The Marshal carries the Mace on his right shoulder and then places it in a special holder in front of the Clerk's Table where it remains throughout the Sitting as a symbol of the authority of Parliament. When the Speaker is in the Chair, the Mace stands upright or perpendicular indicating the formal proceedings in the House. However, during the Consideration Stage of a Bill, the Mace is tilted towards the Chair indicating the informal nature of the proceedings. At this stage, the rules of debate are relaxed and Members can speak more than once to any question from the Chair. At the State Opening of Parliament, the President and Parliament come together to fulfil a constitutional function. On that occasion, during the presence of the President in the House the State Sword, usually regarded as the symbol of authority of the President, takes the place of the Mace. The present Mace of Parliament was made when Ghana became a Republic in 1960. The upright position of the Mace in the Chamber may be likened to a linguist's staff of office; it also gives prominence to the head of the Mace, which is the eagle, the country's heraldic bird. The shaft of the Mace has six traditional stools symbolizing the common sharing of responsibility, the presence of God in the society, lasting personality, prosperity, and presence and effect of feminine power in the society and pride. The design of the Ghana Mace is made up of various Ghana traditional symbols. The Adinkra symbols embossed between the stools denote the Omnipotence of God, critical examination, strength, immortality, and justice. THE FLYING EAGLE - symbolising the State of Ghana. "KONTONKUROWI" - symbol of the common sharing of responsibility. "NYAMEDUA" - a stool symbol of the presence of God in society. "HWEMDUA" - symbol of critical examination. "GYE-NYAME" - (except God), a symbol of the omnipotence of God. "KUDU-PONO" - a symbol of lasting personality. "MBAADWA" - a symbol of the presence and effect of feminine power

in society. "DWANIMMEN" - a symbol of manly strength. "HYE-WO-NHYE - (burnt but unburnt), symbol of imperishability. "BI-NKA-BI" - (no one bites another), symbol of justice. "KUNTUN-KANTAN" - (bent only to straighten), symbol of the pride of

State. 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 07 Politics Election Speaker Justice Bamford-Addo elected Speaker unopposed

Accra, Jan, 7, GNA - Mrs Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, a retired Supreme Court Justice, was on Wednesday elected unopposed as Speaker of the fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. She was nominated by Mr Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader and seconded by Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader. She was then sworn in by the Chief Justice Mrs Justice Georgina Wood. Born on March 26, 1937, she is the first female Speaker of the House. She becomes the third highest person in the country after the President and Vice President. 7 Jan. 08

NPOL 08 Politics MPs Swearing-in MPS sworn in

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Members of Parliament (MPs) were on Wednesday sworn in by the new Speaker, Right Honourable Mrs Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo. The 128 MPs took the oath of allegiance and Member of Parliament. Two seats - Asutifi South and Akwatia - are yet to be declared. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has 114 seats, New Patriotic Party (NPP) has 107, People's National Convention (PNC) has two seats, Convention People's Party (CPP) has one seat and there are four independent MPs. 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 09 Politics NDC Supporters NDC supporters troop to Independence Square

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday trooped to the Independence Square to observe the swearing-in of Professor John Evans Atta Mills as the President of Ghana. By 0700 hours, various streets of Accra were filled with people wearing NDC paraphernalia. Some were in buses and others walking towards the Independence Square cheering and shouting the NDC slogan in twi, "ya sesa mu" which means "we've made a change". Beatrice Addo, a trader, said she was attending the ceremony because she fully supported the NDC and she had to be present to show her total commitment to the party. Others among the supporters had different motives for attending the ceremony. Ibrahim Musah, a photographer, said even though he supported the NDC, he was attending the ceremony to make some money since there were many people at the venue. Prof. John Evans Atta Mills would be sworn in on Wednesday at the Independence Square as the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. 7 Jan. 08

NPOL 10 Politics Speaker Authority The Speaker - The first officer of Parliament

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - The Speaker is the first officer of the House. He/She is one of the three great officers of State and he/she ranks third in the official order of precedence after the President and Vice-President. The office of Speaker was first created in Ghana, then the Gold Coast, in 1949 when the Governor ceased to be ex-officio President of the Legislative Council. The creation of this office marked a significant step in the history of colonial legislature. In 1951 the legislature, under the 1950 Constitution, elected its first Ghanaian Speaker, the first African to preside over a British Colonial Legislature. The Speaker's ruling cannot be challenged except on a substantive motion. Behind the scenes the Speaker can exercise moderating influence on both the Majority and Minority to reach consensus in certain matters. In the heat of debates he/she can cool passions. It has been said that the Speaker can encourage the downhearted Members; he/she can discourage the over-confident, he/she can offer hope - and suggest outlets - to the frustrated. The Speaker must not display any trace of partiality; he/she must handle the House with tact, firmness, and fairness. He must be unusually patient even under provocation. Two Deputies assist the Speaker. The Speaker also has an administrative role; he/she is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Board and has the over-all responsibility for the administration and management of the Service, which is the employer of all permanent staff. The Speaker is elected from within or outside Parliament at the beginning of a new Parliament and holds office during the life of that Parliament. In order to ensure his independence and authority, his salary, allowances, and pension are paid from the Consolidated Fund. The following are the past Speakers of Parliament.

First Republic: Sir Emmanuel Charles Quist, Kt., OBE - Mar 1951- Dec 1957 Hon. Justice Augustus Molade Akiwumi - Feb 1958 - June 1960 Hon. Joseph Richard Asiedu - July 1960 - June 1965 Hon. Kofi Asante Ofori-Atta - June 10, 1965 - Feb 22, 1966

Second Republic Hon. Justice Nii Amaa Ollenu - Oct 1969 - Dec 1971

Third Republic Hon. Justice Jacob Hackenburg Griffiths-Randolph - Sept 24, 1979 - Dec. 1981

Fourth Republic Hon. Justice Daniel Francis Annan - Jan 7, 1993 - 1996 Hon. Justice Daniel Francis Annan - re-elected in 1997 for another

four years Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey - 2001- 2005 Hon. Ebenezer Sakyi Hughes - 2005-2009 7 Jan. 09

NPOL 11 Politics Swearing-in Preparations Independence Square overflows as Prof. Mills' inauguration nears

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Ghanaians from all walks have converged at the Independence Square to witness the swearing-in of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. The whole Square is filled with people adorning NDC t-shirts and other party paraphernalia while others were displaying their skills at riding motorbikes. The whole Independence Square is draped in the national colours of red, gold and green. A set of huge Fontomfrom drums has also been mounted at the Square. Also, the seats of the President and Vice-President are set and ready for the ceremony. Security is very tight with security personnel doing their job including directing people to their designated seats. Traditional rulers, Queens, Queen Mothers and religious leaders from all over the country have started arriving for the ceremony. As all is set to receive the in-coming President, the road leading to the Independence Square from the ministries is clad in the NDC colours. 7 Jan. 08