Parliament adopts report on formula for composition of committee membership

Parliament on Wednesday adopted the report of leadership on the formula for composition of membership of committees, parliamentary delegations and other parliamentary groups and associations and membership of the Committee of Selection.

Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Majority Leader and member of parliament for Nandom Constituency in the Upper West Region moved the motion on the floor of Parliament after he read the report and it was seconded by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader.

He said the composition of the committees should as much as possible reflect the different shades of opinions in the House adding, in pursuant to Order 153, every member must belong to at least one Standing Order Committee.

Dr Kunbuor said the current membership of Parliament stood as follows: Majority (NDC) 146, Minority (NPP) 123, PNC, one, and three Independent members.

The NDC membership reduced from 148 to 146 due to the demise of MP-Elect for Buem Constituency, Mr Henry Ford Kamil and the elevation of Mr Ewdard Doe Adjaho as Speaker.

Dr Kunbuor explained that the leadership met on Tuesday January 8 and after deliberation recommended that in accordance with established practice and having regard to Order 154, the composition of the committees and in all other Parliamentary delegations, groupings and association be based on the ratio 55:45 for the majority and minority respectively.

That considering the urgency of the work of the committee of selection, Business and Appointment committees in the facilitation of business of the House and that of government, work on the composition of these three committees should be concluded by Friday, January 11.

That the committee on selection with the Speaker as Chairperson and 19 other members should comprise 10 members from the Majority caucus and nine from minority caucus based in accordance with the agreed ratio of 55:45.