House in a state of mourning, adjourns proceedings

Parliament on Wednesday adjourned proceedings only a short while after sitting began.

This is because the nation is in a state of mourning at the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills, and members are not in the mood to do Government business.

Mr. Cletus Apul Avoka, Majority Leader proposed that the house be adjourned because every member was not in the mood.

It was seconded by Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader, after which Mrs. Joycelyn Bamford Addo, Speaker, ruled for the house to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday, July 26, 2012.

Meanwhile, there were six questions on the Order paper for the Minister of Education and some papers were also to be laid, as well as motions to be taken and the National Health Insurance Bill, 2012, which is at the consideration stage.

All the MPs were clad in mourning clothes and the usual daily noisy atmosphere in the chamber was quiet as members were in a somber mood.

President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as Ghana’s new President on the night of Tuesday, July 24, 2012, following the sudden demise of President John Evans Atta Mills at the 37 Military hospital in Accra on Tuesday afternoon.**