Speaker urges Ghanaians to support parliamentary democracy

Accra, Jan. 6, GNA - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey on Thursday urged Ghanaians to support and tenaciously hold on to and guard the parliamentary democracy they were enjoying in spite of their political differences.

Mr Adjetey asked all political actors and parliamentarians to live above reproach, be honest and dutiful in their jobs since they had crucial roles to play in the sustenance of the current democratic dispensation.


The Speaker gave this advice in Parliament on the eve of the dissolution of the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic, which by constitutional fiat takes effect at mid-night Thursday.


"For four years now, we have worked together as a united body and this has translated into strong bonds of friendship and alliances being developed on both sides of the House as a consequence".


"We have become one big family and it is, therefore, sad that we have to part today, as some of us will not be in the next Parliament."


Mr Adjetey said that though the House had confidence in him and got him elected as the Speaker in 2001, sceptics thought that his background and association with the ruling party might affect his judgement.


"But human as I am, and with all the imperfections characteristic of humanity, I have managed and tried in all situations and circumstances to be as impartial as possible to all sides of the political divide in the House."

Mr Adjetey commended Ghanaians for being able to hold the peace they had been enjoying since the onset of democratic governance. He said President John Agyekum Kufuor and Vice President Aliu Mahama had been able to sustain the peace by the way they had comported themselves by not being temperamental and showing a calm disposition in all situations, which should be the hallmark of all leaders.


The Speaker said his predecessor; Justice D.F. Annan made some efforts to put the Legislature on the right pedestal including the renovation and refurbishment of the tower block, the public forum of Parliament and the Speakers Breakfast Forum.


He said apart from continuing with what his predecessor started, approval has also been granted for the establishment of a radio station for Parliament and the sourcing of an amount of 25 billion cedis from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Fund to kick-start the stalled work on the tower block.


"Each office within the Service has been provided with a computer and accessories, the transportation fleet of the Service has increased from 28 in the year 2000 to 62."


Parliament, he said, for the first time in the Fourth Republic has adopted a logo and a flag as symbols of its identity and has participated and continued to play important roles in the international scene under his leadership.


"I leave to the good people of Ghana and posterity a true assessment of my stewardship as Speaker of this Honourable House," he said.