The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development-Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, says, he sees nothing wrong with a president publicly endorsing the nominee for the position of Speaker of Parliament.

He explained that the Speaker must work closely with various ministers and MPs in the president's government to ensure smooth governance, hence there is nothing wrong if the president openly supports a candidate.

“It is to be expected that the President, as head of government, would have a strong interest in and influence over the choice of Speaker, as the occupant of the Speaker's chair must work closely with the President and his ministers to ensure the smooth running of government," he said.

He added, “In particular, where, as in the incoming Parliament, the President's party also controls an overwhelming majority of the seats, the President's preference for Speaker should carry significant weight in the MPs' decision. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the President publicly expressing and indicating his preference for Speaker and urging or admonishing MPs.”

However, Prof Prempeh also cautioned against entrenching the idea that the Speaker is merely a nominee of the President. He noted that this is one of the features of the imperial presidency in Ghana, which further subordinates the legislature to the executive.

He made these comments in a Facebook post shortly after President-elect John Mahama issued a statement urging NDC leadership in Parliament to nominate the current Speaker, Alban Bagbin, for re-election in the incoming Parliament.

He also stated that Mr Mahama's statement should have been properly worded.

While some may argue that it is biased or unconstitutional for the incoming president to openly endorse a candidate for Speaker, Prof Prempeh disagreed.

Prof Prempeh suggested that the statement from the President-elect should have read, "The Members of Parliament-elect of the National Democratic Congress, [having consulted with the National Executive of the Party], have agreed collectively to support the nomination and re-election of the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Badgin, Speaker of the 8th Parliament, as Speaker of the 9th Parliament."

With this, he believes "The President can then freely announce his endorsement of this choice.”

Prof Prempeh concluded by congratulating Mr Bagbin, saying, “Having said that, I congratulate the Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the 8th Parliament, on securing the support of the Majority party in the incoming Parliament for re-election as Speaker of the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.”

Meanwhile, Alban Bagbin has expressed gratitude to Mr Mahama for backing him to take up the role of Speaker in the next Parliament. He also urged the party and the president-elect to have confidence in his service, promising that he would not disappoint them.

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