Speaker advises MPs to live above partisan politics

Accra, Oct. 27, GNA- Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday advised members to eschew partisan politics and other negative tendencies that undermine democracy and good governance in the country. "You need to exhibit attitudes that would promote democracy and peace through good attitude and conduct towards proceedings and your colleagues in the House."

She said the electorate who had put them in Parliament was expecting nothing less than infrastructural and human development in their constituencies and it was therefore unacceptable for them to engage themselves in divisive politics.

Justice Bamford-Addo who gave the advice when Parliament officially resumed for the first sitting of the third meeting, called for closer collaboration and co-operation between the majority and minority to enable them to execute their duties to the satisfaction of Ghanaians.

The Speaker also encouraged members of parliament to undergo regular medical check-ups since the colossal work in parliament had over the years overstretched some members, resulting in death among some members. Mr. Alban S.K. Bagbin, Majority Leader, congratulated and welcomed Mr. Samuel Abudulai Jabayitey, the new Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi and appealed to the member to strictly go through the orientation in parliament to avoid undermining the rules, ethics, standards, decorum and decency, which governed the house.

Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader who also congratulated Chereponi MP, expressed some misgivings on the way the by-elections was conducted and appealed to the Electoral Commission and all political parties to avoid the replication of such conducts in subsequent elections. "If we have to continue this way, we shall remain in a cul-de-sac and this country will not move forward as we are expecting, but will remain stagnant and be heralded by constant challenges."

He said the Minority would remain focused and vibrant by offering the necessary opposition that would serve as an important ingredient for the entrenchment of democracy in the country. The house paid tribute to deceased members who died during the recession. 27 Oct. 09