The inauguration of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic last Thursday began with aggression and anxiety right from the onset.
The night was full of drama with both the NDC and NPP caucuses at each other's throat on the choice of Speaker of Parliament.
There was a standoff on the eligibility of Assin North MP-elect in voting in the election process, as he has been injuncted by the Cape Coast High Court from holding himself out to be an MP. Eventually, he was allowed to vote.
The voting process in itself was a spectacle.
The contest was between Former MP for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Sumana Bagbin of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his predecessor Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye of the New Patriotic Party.
It culminated into the military and the police storming into the Chamber to restore calm for the first time in the history of Ghana's democracy.
However, the highlight of the day was when Tema West MP, Carlos Ahenkorah snatched ballot papers in the full glare of huge security and the media.
However, Muntaka Mubarak and other members of the minority side chased the lawmaker turned ballot snatcher to apprehend him.
Polling 138 votes, Alban Bagbin won against his predecessor Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye who had 136 votes. One legislator failed to vote.
At the end of the long wait throughout the night, Alban Bagbin won the closely contested ballot. He makes history as the first Speaker of Parliament who is not selected by the governing party.
Latest Stories
-
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
32 mins -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
36 mins -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
44 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
3 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
3 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
4 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
4 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
4 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
4 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
4 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
4 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
5 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
5 hours