I had high hopes of becoming Speaker of Parliament - Freddie Blay

Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Freddy Blay, has revealed that he was confident of becoming the next Speaker of Parliament following the NPP’s victory in the 2016 general elections.

The NPP setttled on former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye as the 6th Speaker of Parliament of the 7th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

He was chosen among persons such as Joe Ghartey who is the immediate past 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Paapa Owusu Ankomah former MP for Secondi and Mr Freddy Blay who once served as 1st and 2nd Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Eko Sii Sen show on Monday, Mr Freddy Blay stated that though he wanted the job he never lobbied for that position but was confident that he was going to be the choice of both the President Akufo Addo and the Council of Elders of the party.

“Of course traditionally, when there’s a vacant seat people contest to occupy it. I was hoping to be made the Speaker of Parliament, but I never spoke to the President about it. I wish I had it but I couldn’t have made noise about my wish. I’m currently serving as the Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but if there’s any place that the President wants me to serve which will not affect my job in the party, I will gladly take it up.”

Mr Freddy Blay was however confident that Rt. Hon. Mike Ocquaye will excel as a Speaker considering his vast Parliamentary experinece gathered, as he (Ocquay) once served as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament.