President Mahama expected to nominate new Speaker by January 6

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to inform the Legislature by January 6, about the person nominated to be the Speaker of the Sixth Parliament.

Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo, Deputy Majority Leader told the Ghana News Agency  in Accra on Thursday that in accordance with Parliamentary procedure the person  nominated would have to be elected by the new Parliament, which would be inaugurated on January 7 ahead of the swearing in of the President at the Independence Square .

He said he was not privy to information about speculation in the media that Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, First Deputy Speaker was nominated by the President.

He said constitutionally by January 6 the fifth Parliament of the fourth republic stands dissolved so after the State of the Nation’s address on January 4, members would not come to the house until Monday, January 7.

Registration of elected members to the sixth Parliament began on December 2, 2012 and is expected to end on Thursday January 3.

Commenting on the intention of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to boycott the inauguration of the President-elect, Alhaji Pelpuo said the Party was sending a wrong signal.

Alhaji Pelpuo urged the NPP to reflect on the issue as it is about the nation, explaining that people are looking up to politicians to do the right thing.

“Thankfully the National Democratic Congress have a big majority in Parliament and will go ahead…It is not a good decision to boycott the inauguration of a President or Parliament”, he said.

He described attempts by some youth groups of NPP to prevent former President John Agyekum Kufuor as unfortunate, adding:  “Such an act will dent the image of the Ex-President within the international community.’’

He said President John Dramani Mahama has been able to maintain the stability of the economy and therefore things are moving on well.

Source: GNA