For the first time in the history of the Fourth Republic, a person other than the Speaker or his two Deputies presided over the proceedings of Parliament on Friday, Feb. 16.
According to Order 12:4 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, when the Speaker or the two Deputy Speakers are unavoidably absent from the House, the Clerk shall chair the selection of a member of the House to preside over the business of Parliament.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, along with his first deputy, Joseph Osei-Owusu and second deputy, Andrew Asiamah, were all conspicuously absent from their usual roles on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Cyril Kwabena Nsiah, the Clerk of Parliament, announced their absence and chaired the selection of a member to preside.
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“Order 12:4, whenever the Speaker, the first Deputy Speaker and the Second Deputy Speaker are unavoidably absent, the Clerk shall chair the sitting for the election of a member to preside at that sitting of the House as the member presiding. In accordance with this Order, I would invite nominations for the election of a member to preside,” he said.
Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, member of parliament for Sunyani East, was nominated by Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam Adoagiri.
“Coming under the strength of Order 12:4, I recommend the honourable Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh to preside as the member presiding. He is a fourth term Member of Parliament and he is also my immediate boss as the former Majority Chief Whip,” he said.
The motion was seconded by Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, garnering agreement from the minority. The house made its decision to move on under the historic leadership of Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh.
Following this decision, the House adjourned for a workshop on the new Standing Orders, resulting in limited proceedings. Additionally, the highly anticipated Anti-LGBTQ Bill was not discussed during the session.