Parliament resumes sitting today

The Parliament of Ghana will today Tuesday, June 11, 2024, commence the third meeting of the fourth session of the eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

The eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic which took office from January 7, 2021, commenced its final year meeting on February 6, 2024.

During this period, the House saw the implementation of new Standing Orders with the previous one being subject to significant revisions after serving Parliament for almost 30 years.

The revised Standing Orders introduced new practices and procedures including a roll call, the recital of the National Anthem and the National Pledge.

The period also recorded a novelty when a Member presided over proceedings, in the absence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker and his two deputies allowing the Clerk to Parliament, pursuant to Standing Order 12(4), invited nominations from the House for a Member to preside over the Sitting as the Member Presiding.

The Member for Sunyani East, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, was elected to chair proceedings for the day.

Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond also took the Chair as Member Presiding due to the absence of the Speaker and his two deputies.

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also delivered his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) with members also passing the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 popularly known as the Anti-gay Bill.

The third and final meeting which according to the Speaker will commence on June 11 will see the discussion of some crucial government business before going on recess for members to prepare for the 2024 general elections.