Events preceding inauguration of 8th Parliament embarrassing – Oppong Nkrumah
The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has described the series of events that characterized. parliamentary proceedings ahead of its inauguration as embarrassing.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ofoase-Ayirebi constituency in a Twitter post said there is a lot to learn from what transpired in Parliament.
He further indicated that preparations are underway to swear in President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice President-elect, Mahamudu Bawumia at noon today.
There have been many embarrassing moments in Ghana's 8th Parliament this morning ahead of its inauguration and there will be many lessons to learn. In the end, consensus prevailed and we prepare to swear in @NAkufoAddo and @MBawumia at noon completing the inauguration events.
— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) January 7, 2021
Earlier today, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament, clad in white, moved to sit on the right side of the Speaker to indicate they were in the majority which sparked serious controversy.
Later the issue of allowing the MP-elect for Assin North, Richard Quayson to vote in the election came up strongly as the Clerk who superintended over the voting process indicated that he would not allow him to cast his ballot because a court injunction had been granted to bar him from holding himself out as the MP.
The debate over whether or not he should be allowed to vote was subsequently resolved and the NDC MP was allowed to cast his ballot.
During the counting of the ballots, the Member of Parliament for Tema West and former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah ran to the table and snatched the uncounted ballots of Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye and attempted to bolt with it.
The Chief Whip on the NDC side and MP for Asawase, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak immediately went after him and secured the ballots.
Meanwhile, the former Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo and a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin has been elected as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament.
