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
-
Gunmen in Nigeria kidnap about 100 in weekend attacks
6 mins -
Aftermath of soldiers killings: Bloodbath in Delta, villagers flee, hide in forests
24 mins -
Evergrande: China property giant and its founder accused of $78bn fraud
44 mins -
All set for ‘Detor – The Rise of A Warrior Hunter’ premiere
49 mins -
Obaapanin Grace Duoduwaa aka Ogrey
1 hour -
How to heal your heart after you’ve been left
2 hours -
Joy FM’s Eastern Camp Adventure: Discoveries, experiences, excitement!
2 hours -
There are 3 types of divorced men — and only one is relationship material
2 hours -
More than 79,000 Ghanaian girls 12 -17 years married, living with men
2 hours -
Tamale water crisis forces students out of school
3 hours -
Religious leader urges participation in 2024 election; calls for support for Aflao community
3 hours -
Who followed up when Elon Musk closed Twitter’s Ghana office – Sam Georges questions government
3 hours -
‘Only God can change this place’: Haitians see no end to spiralling violence
3 hours -
SB4: Supreme Court blocks Texas police from arresting migrants
3 hours -
Trump unable to get $464m bond in New York fraud case, his lawyers say
3 hours