Accra, Oct 31, GNA – A five-member delegation of the Council of State, led by the Chairman, Nana Otuo Siribuor, has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin at Parliament House in Accra.
The courtesy call was to ascertain, at first hand, happenings in the legislature in recent times, resulting in the adjournment of the House indefinitely.
A statement issued by the Parliamentary Service, copied to the Ghana News Agency said after a long deliberation, members of the Council assured the Speaker of their preparedness to assist him and the leadership of the House to resolve whatever impasse there may be, to pave the way for a recall of the House.
It said the Speaker gave a brief of the situation in Parliament and the basis of his pronouncements on the floor of the House.
He assured the delegation of his commitment to the development of the country’s democracy and its people.
The statement noted that the Council applauded the efforts of the Speaker, in keeping the democratic credentials of the country high, through efficient handling of the legislature and his leadership as the President of Parliamentary Organizations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International, (CPA), Conference of the Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSHAL) and an Executive member of the International Legislative Advisory Council of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in the United States of America.
It said Nana Otuo Siribuor encouraged him to continue with the good works in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians.
Mr Speaker informed the delegation that he was compelled to lead the Ghana parliamentary delegation to attend the 67th Conference of the CPA International at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The statement said the Ghanaian delegation included Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, a former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, the two Leaders of the House, two Whips, the Clerk to Parliament, and other officials of the Parliamentary Service.
It said the conference would take place from the 3rd to the 8th of November, where Speaker Bagbin, the immediate past President of CPA International, was expected to hand over to the newly elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Speaker of the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia.
It said the Speaker however, indicated that he would return to Ghana earlier than anticipated, due to a request by Members of Parliament to recall Parliament.
He indicated that his office had already started processes to recall the house in early November.
It said Speaker Bagbin had recently been elected to a second term as President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures.
GNA