Speaker congratulates Prez, commends Akufo-Addo
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has congratulated the President, Mr John Mahama, on what he termed a “validation of his electoral victory” by the Supreme Court of Ghana.
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He has also commended the flag bearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, for accepting the judgement of the judges and for admonishing his supporters to respect the decision.
Welcoming MPs to the House for an emergency sitting expected to last for not more than five days, Mr Adjaho said Akufo-Addo’s acceptance of the judgement was a mark of statesmanship.
He was full of praise for the nine Supreme Court judges before whom the petitioners and respondents made their cases for the hard work they did throughout the case and the security agencies for providing adequate security during the period the case was before the judges.
Role of media
To the media, he expressed gratitude for the extensive coverage of the case, but drew attention to the fact that there were some instances when the media erred in their report of the issues.
He expressed the hope that the President, having served as an MP for three terms, would foster close collaboration between the Executive and the legislature.
Mr Adjaho urged Ghanaians to “take pride” in the peace and tranquillity bestowed on the country by the Almighty God.
With regard to the emergency sitting of the House, he urged the MPs to consider it “a call to national duty”.
Protest
At the sitting of the House yeterday, the Leader of the Minority, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (NPP, Suame), protested what he said was the failure of leadership to state in the letters inviting members to the House exactly what the agenda of the emergency sitting was.
“It does not serve any purpose if members are summoned from leave and they do not know what is to be discussed. They must know what the agenda is. Let us pay attention to this,” he said.
He made reference to Standing Order 33 (3) of Parliament, which makes it obligatory for leadership to state what the agenda for any emergency sitting is.
By Mark-Anthony Vinorko/Daily Graphic/Ghana