The purpose of this brief is to weigh the freedom of expression of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament against the requirements of his office as an umpire for the heated debates seen in the country’s legislative chamber.
The question sparked the writer’s interest when the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin declared support for a Bill laid before the House.
The writer observes from the multiple sources available and guides readers to the conclusion that the framers of the law intended for Rt. Hon. Bagbin, his predecessors and successors to stay away from the politics of the debates in the House and focus on overseeing the said debates.
The essay, in part, relies on the historical development of the Office of the presiding member of Ghana’s legislature and the current position of the law found in the texts. Also in the literature are comparisons between Ghana’s Speaker and those of other democracies to examine their respective roles.
The question is also asked of the similarities in the role of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament and the role of judges. Are their roles at all similar?
If so, should the same standards which are expected of judges, vis-à-vis commenting on issues that can end up in their courts be imposed on the Speaker of Parliament?
Click here to read
Latest Stories
-
World Bank’s food price index eases; maize, wheat prices hit 3-year low
25 mins -
2020 polls all about pulling Ghana back from precipice of destruction, corruption – Naana Jane
29 mins -
Guru expresses interest in contesting SRC election at UG
36 mins -
Oil prices projected to average $84 in 2024 – World Bank
46 mins -
Meet 2 Ghanaian entrepreneurs on a mission to connect 1m African professionals to global companies by 2034
1 hour -
NCA approves Starlink’s satellite broadband application
1 hour -
Government orders FGR to revamp mining operations; assures workers of commitment to their welfare
1 hour -
Arne Slot philosophy could suit Liverpool – Van Dijk
2 hours -
EC replies Mahama: You also appointed someone who was tagged NDC
2 hours -
See colourful outdoor of Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as NDC’s running mate
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 15MWP Kaleo Solar Power Plant
2 hours -
GCB Bank PLC leads African financial integration, hosts ZICB delegation
2 hours -
Empowering Girls in ICT: FAWE Ghana advocates for gender equality in the Tech sector
4 hours -
Rangnick ‘contacted by Bayern Munich’ about manager job
4 hours -
Winneba Youth Choir celebrates 35th Anniversary with Aseda Concert sponsored by Fidelity Bank
4 hours