Parliament will forever miss Justice D.F. Annan - Doe Adjaho

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, has eulogised the memory of the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan, Speaker of the First and Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, saying, the House would never forget his good works for the nation.

Speaker Doe Adjaho described late Justice Annan as a patriot who had paid his dues to the country.

Giving opening remarks at a symposium in memory of the late Justice Annan, Speaker Doe Adjaho said that late Justice Annan “remained firm in the discharge of his duties,” adding, “we will forever miss him.”

At the same function, the Dean Emeritus of the Honorary Consuls, Mr. Amarkai Amarteifio, could not, but share what he remembered of the industrious son of Ghana on behalf of the family. He said that Justice Annan did his duty with integrity and humility.

“He was the ‘midwife’ of Ghana’s democratic dispensation. I hope we (the country) have a befitting remembrance of him (Justice Annan),” he said.

On behalf of the Minority in Parliament, Appiah-Pinkrah Kwabena, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akrofuom constituency, noted that the late Justice D.F Anna made great contributions to the development of democracy in the country, citing: “It was not surprising Parliament voted him to be the Speaker, given his pivotal role in the democracy of the country.”

To him, the remembrance of the late Justice Annan should mark the beginning of the three Arms of Government (Executive, Legislature and Judiciary) coming together to work effectively in the interest of the country.

Justice Sophia Akuffo, who represented the Chief Justice, Mrs. Theodore Wood, also described Justice Annan as a distinguished lawyer, justice, and a public servant ‘extraordinaire’.

She said the nation was blessed by grace to have Justice Annan to nurture and strengthen Ghana’s Parliament. “I want to remind all that there is no honour greater than to serve your nation,” Justice Sophia opined.

The symposium brought together representatives from the three Arms of Government to the lecture on the theme ‘Democratic Governance by the 3 Arms or Government, under the 1992 Constitution.’

Giving the first lecture on behalf of the Executive Arm of Government (Presidency) – the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, deemed it a great pleasure to be chosen to give a lecture on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the passing of the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan.

He said that the country could appreciate the quality of a man who was not the President, but could represent the President (J.J. Rawlings at the time) at international meetings competently, and President Rawlings could have a sound mind, because he knew what Justice Annan could do.

“He (Justice Daniel Francis Annan) brought credibility and legitimacy into the lime light of Ghana’s democracy. We think of Justice Annan as the pillar who helped the country in many ways,” he remarked.

On behalf of the Legislature (Parliament)

The MP for Nadowli/Kaleo constituency who is also the Majority Leader, Alban Sumana Kinsley Bagbin, placed on record, while giving the second lecture, that the late Justice Annan is the longest serving Speaker of Parliament of Ghana so far.

He said Justice Annan’s role was difficult to describe, considering the important role he played in the affairs of the country. “He (Justice Annan) was instrumental in drafting the 1992 Constitution. His vision was to have a strong and vibrant legislature,” he said.

Justice William Atuguba gave the third lecture on behalf of the Judiciary, which is the third Arm of Government. He said that Late Justice Annan was a distinguished judge.

He blended the theme for the symposium with the topic: ‘The power of the court to punish for contempt of court.’

Justice Atuguba, famously known as ‘Mr. Pink Sheet’ as a result of the landmark election petition hearing after the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, gave some cases where the court had to exercise the power of contempt.

He indicated that “the power to punish for contempt of court is a power conferred on the court by the people (Citizens) who own the court.”