[ 2016-12-14 ]

Who succeeds speaker Doe-Adjaho
The Sixth Parliament is expected to be dissolved
at midnight on Friday, January 6, 2017, to pave
way for the commencement of the Seventh Parliament
of the Fourth Republic on the morning of Saturday,
January 7, 2016.

With the present Speaker, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe
Adjaho, coming from the side of the outgoing
governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), it
means the Seventh Parliament will have to elect a
new Speaker that will preside over the House.

But first, the new Speaker will have to be
appointed by the incoming government, the New
Patriotic Party (NPP) before a decision will be
taken over him by the lawmakers.

To look no further, Kasapafmonline.com has
shortlisted three candidates who have
distinguished themselves creditably in the August
House, serving in various capacities before bowing
out as lawmakers.

One of these three is likely to be appointed the
next Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah

Having practiced as a private lawyer and serving
as Counsel for activists of the New Patriotic
Party (NPP), the Sekondi born lawmaker, known by
many as the Quite Dynamo, stepped up the plate to
capture the Sekondi constituency seat away from
the NDC in 1996.

Since then, he has embarked on a parliamentary
career that has served to showcase other facets of
his considerable talents.

He captured the public imagination as one of the
most experienced and competent politicians in the
nation.

When the NPP won the general elections in 2000,
Papa Owusu Ankomah’s first official appointment
was to the post of Deputy Majority Leader.

In this position, he was noted for his ability to
both lead his party’s various constituencies and
also to bring the opposition on board, when
necessary, to ensure the passage of the
President’s legislative agenda.

He was later elected by his peers as the Majority
Leader of the House.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah can lay claim to being the most
experienced legislator among the senior members of
the Party today.

He has served on a number of Parliamentary
committees – the Standing Committee on
Subsidiary Legislation, the Select Committee on
Foreign Affairs, Finance Committee and the
Committee on Constitutional, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs, to name but a few.

Although Papa Owusu Ankomah did not contest in the
party’s parliamentary primary, signalling an end
to his illustrious parliamentary career, the
position of the Speaker of the Legislature,
Kasapafmonine.com understands, will be gladly
welcomed if it comes his way.

Freddie Blay

The Acting National Chairman of the NPP, Frederick
Worsemao Armah Blay is also highly tipped for the
position looking at his in-depth knowledge in
parliamentary affairs.

Blay, a lawyer and a politician was a Member of
Parliament for the Ellembelle constituency on the
ticket of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).

He served for over a decade (1997 – 2008)
earning the nickname, “Ellembelle Mugabe”.

He rose through the ranks to become the Second
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and First Deputy
Speaker in the Third and Fourth Parliament of the
Fourth Republic.

He lost his seat in the general elections held on
December 7, 2008 to Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He later resigned from the CPP to the NPP after
being criticised by some stalwarts of the cockerel
family for not campaigning for then flag bearer of
the party, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and instead
endorsing the presidential candidate of the NPP,
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

With Mr. Blay’s vast experience in parliamentary
affairs, it will not be surprise if he gets the
nod.

Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye

One of the most highly tipped for the position of
Speaker of Parliament is Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye.

The Political Science Professor entered into
Parliament in 2005 and served for a period of two
terms. He represented the people of
Dome/Kwabenya.

He also rose through the ranks to become the
Second Deputy Speaker in the Fifth Parliament of
the Fourth Republic having served on a number of
committees.

He was Ghana’s High Commissioner to India from
2001 to 2004. He was appointed Minister of Energy
from 2005 to 2006 and Minister of Communications
from 2006 to 2009.

He had long cherished the position of a Speaker
and so when he was elected as the Second Speaker
of the House, he gladly welcomed it believing that
not sooner than later, the substantive position
may come his way when the NPP comes to power.

However, his decision not to contest the
Dome/Kwabenya seat came to many as the end to his
parliamentary career.

The NPP having won the last Wednesday’s general
elections, and Prof. Mike Oquaye serving on the
Advisory Board of the Transition Team with the
current Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe
Adjaho, Kasapafmonline.com will not be surprise if
he is appointed to lead the Legislative arm of the
incoming government.

Source - Kasapafm

... go Back