Debates of 26 Jul 2021

Hon Members, today's Sitting is of a special nature. You may recall that the Hon Majority Leader and the Chairperson of the Business Committee, in presenting the Business for this week last Friday, indicated that the House would Sit on Monday, 27th July, 2021 to enable the Rt Hon Speaker and the House receive some eminent personalities in connection with the Millennium Excellence Awards of 2021.
Hon Members, the distinguished members of the Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence

As I have already indicated, the Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation are here to confer a special award on the Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of the Eighth Parliament.

Hon Members, may we have some order, please?
On behalf of all of you, I welcome the Rt Hon Speaker to this House.
Hon Members, I shall now invite the Chairman of the Millennium Excellence Foundation to make a Statement in respect of the award to be conferred on the Rt Hon Speaker. But before then, I invite the Marshal to tilt the Mace to signify that the rules of the House have been relaxed.

Now, the Chairman of the Millennium Excellence Award.

Conferment of Millennium Excellence Award on

Mr Speaker

Mr Speaker, Leadership of the House, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, my friends from the media, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I bring you greetings from the Life Patron of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.
On the 17th of July this year, we had an impressive ceremony in Kumasi to honour distinguished personalities who have served this country this last decade. Indeed, we were expecting the Speaker of the House to be in Kumasi to receive his award. Regrettably, he could not

come. But this Millennium Excellence Foundation founded by Ambassador Ashim Morton in 1998 started rewarding distinguished individuals who have contributed to the development of this country. The first of its kind was held in Accra in the year 2000 and this award is held every five years. Distinguished personalities such as H. E. Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, Bosomoro Kofi Annan, Matthew Kraku and a host of other distinguished individuals have all won the Gold Coast Award.

During the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation, the Gold Coast Award was conferred to no other person than the President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who received this award in Kumasi on the 17th of July, 2021.

Ambassador Ashim Morton is a great grandson of the golden stool thus being the great grandson of His Majesty Otumfuo Prempeh I, that is the XIV Asantehene who reigned from 1888 to 1931. So, it was not surprising that when he founded this Foundation, he made Otumfuo Osei Tutu II the Asantehene who is now the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool as the life patron of this Foundation. You would agree with me that Otumfuo has given his royal blessing

and guidance through the 20 years of this Foundation.

So indeed, we at the Foundation have seen that he has dedicated his entire life to serving the legislature of our country.

“A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for.”

So, we at the Foundation are here today, craving your indulgence that though the Rt Hon Speaker was unavoidably absent in Kumasi on the 17th of July, 2021, we are here to honour him and to tell him that all his efforts in ensuring that our parliamentary proceedings and the legislature of our country, are moving in the right direction. We are here to congratulate him and to tell him that we count on him to help the Executive and the Judiciary to be able to man the affairs of this country. We are here to congratulate him and we bring him special greetings from His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Hon Members, at this juncture, we shall watch a playback of some of the important speeches delivered by some eminent personalities at the award ceremony. Shall we now watch the Speech delivered by His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and the life patron of the Millennium Excellence Foundation?.
Playback of Speech by His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo OSei
Tutu II, Asantehene
In our ceremony today, we are recognising and celebrating the

But the most important thing for me today is the enlightened choice of the Millennium Excellence Foundation in according the President and also the Rt Hon Speaker, who unfortunately could not be here today because of a seizure that he had. He was on his way, but he had to go back. But in according the two highest awards to the most important political figures in the nation, I can assure you that this is not just pandering to political influence, not only are the two awards more eminently merited; the timing is profound.

Nananom, ladies and gentlemen, cast your eyes around Africa and what picture do you see? Protected by God from COVID-19 but ravaged by politics; and from east to west, north to south at a time of extraordinary challenges, our people are pouring fuel on fire in their homelands. No doubt Ghana has a legion of problems, but by the grace of God we have every reason to be thankful

This is a plea I address to the nation, to every citizen, city and town, and in every village or hamlet. But it begins with the two mighty figures - whom we honour today.. Unfortunately, the Rt Hon Speaker is not here.

Now and again, I have expressed deep regret at our failure to take account of our traditional governance in the evolution of our new states. If we did, we would realise that as the chiefs who make up the traditional council, or who constitute the chiefs court, come from very diverse viewpoints. The views represented are often as diverse and contentious as we hear in your political forum, and yet, the system allows for them to be

heard and for a consensus to be arrived at as to which everyone is bound.

We look to our President and the Rt Hon Speaker to give us a fresh start in parliamentary governance, in which the Legislature is able to hold the Executive to account without being obstructive to the Executive on its electoral mandate. And we look forward to our political leaders to inspire a new approach to politics that removes any unconscious threats to our peace.

Your Excellency the President and we have been at this political game for some decades now, and it is right to analyse the things that work for good and those that do not. [Yoo!] There is no pride in continuing to repeat the errors of the past. There is no wisdom in following the road to disaster. St Paul says:

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Hon Members, may we listen to the speech by H. E. the President of the Republic of Ghana?.
2. 45 p.m.
Playback of Message by His Excellency the President (Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo): His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the life patron and President of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, the President of the Foundation, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Members of the Board of Governors of the National Treasurers, my Chief of Staff, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am overwhelmed, and I would want to say a big thank you to the President and life Patron of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, as well as the members of the Millennium Excellence Foundation.
I have been following this event for many years ever since it began, but I
have never in fact attended one of its ceremonies. If I had, I would have known that it is quite an elaborate ceremony, and here I am ending up looking like somebody who has been given a doctorate [Laughter] . However, I am very grateful and here I am ending extremely humbled. When we look at the people who have been awarded today and those who have received this award before us, to be in this category of people, especially to be the recipient of this award on the 20 th year of the Foundation of this extraordinary event is a major happening for me, and I am very grateful.
I would just want to say something briefly about what the Otumfuo said in his very provocative and far- reaching speech. I am having to turn a new chapter in Ghana's constitutional history, and he was very right in saying that for the first time in the history of the Fourth Republic, a President has been elected who came from a particular party, while the Rt Hon Speaker of the Legislature, another great Arm of Government, is also from another party.
The decision that was made on the 7th of January, 2021 meant for me that whatever be the case, I had to find a way of working with the Rt Hon Speaker. The interest of our nation requires that the two of us find a way
[MAJ. OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II] [OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II]

This meant that the difficulties that people felt that I would have in being able to get important access through this Parliament have not in fact materialised, and it is because of the spirit of cooperation which I have received from the Rt Hon Speaker. So, I am unhappy that he is not here with me today, even though the intention was to honour him as well. Anyway, that is how things are. I have not heard of what the problem is, but if there is any, then I wish him a very speedy recovery. However, I would want to let him know that I appreciate very much the manner in which he has been working with me. We meet

regularly, and it is going to be a permanent feature. I would have a first -- and God willing, if I am able to go through it successfully, then it would be part of my Curriculum Vitae (CV) in Ghana that I presided over this unusual constitutional reality in our country. However, it is good. It means that it is required for us to understand that there are several aspects to every problem in trying to find a compromise and a way of dealing with the problems that advance the interest of our people.

The people who are most responsible for that are the Ghanaian people themselves; therefore, I feel extremely obliged and extremely honoured to be their President. Wherever I go in the world, I get these accolades, I know that it is because of the quality of the people in this country that has brought about this state of affairs.

So, I would want to thank the President of the Foundation for this honour. I am already at a very advanced stage, so, to say that I

would take it to the grave is not saying very much, but for the rest of my life, I would remember it.

Thank you very much, Otumfuo.

Very well, thank you very much.
Hon Members, I would now invite the Chairperson of the Millennium Excellence Award to come to the podium and present the award to the Rt Hon Speaker.
Presentation of Millennium Excellence Award to
Mr Speaker

Congra- tulations, Congratulations and Congratulations! The life patron, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and the illustrious Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation are pleased to confer on you the coveted Millennium Excellence Award for “Member of Parliament of the
Decade” in high recognition of your outstanding contribution to national development as an Hon Member of Parliament. You are the true personification of the saying that “if you give the world the best of what you have, it will come back to you”.
Your rise to the office of the third most important person in the Republic of Ghana is exemplary. -- [Mr Speaker shows a three-finger sign.] [Hear! Hear!]
In a country where the attrition of Parliament is so high that Parliament can swing from an over 60 per cent Majority in the Seventh Parliament to an almost hung one in the Eighth start; your retention in Parliament since 1993 underscores the distinction with which you served your people and country. By the miracle of fate, you were returned to the House, from which you had voluntarily decided to retire, as a Speaker in the most dramatic of fashions and as reward for your commitment to excellence in service.
Throughout your career, you served with brilliance and maturity, an attribute that makes you appealing to people across the political divide. You have been a development agent, an advocate for the democratic ideals, and a role model to many aspiring politicians. As Hon Minority Leader, you kept the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government then on its toes

Hon Members, we shall now listen in silence to the Rt Hon Speaker as he delivers his acceptance speech.

Acceptance Speech

The Hon First Deputy Speaker, the Hon Second Deputy Speaker, the Co- Leaders and Leadership of the House, Hon Ministers of State, Hon Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, my colleagues, Members of the Parliamentary Service Board, Nananom, Nii Me, Naa Mee, Namine, the Clerk to Parliament, Representative of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,
Asantehene, Members of the Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, our revered religious and traditional leaders, management and Staff of the Parliamentary Service, members of the Parliamentary Press Corps, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this is our day. It is not just my day, but our day, the Parliament of Ghana and Hon Members of the Parliament of Ghana.
I thank the Almighty God whose favour and mercies have brought me this far and for guiding the recognition of me for this prestigious award. His guidance over the years has given me the opportunity, the needed strength and fortitude to serve this House in various capacities; first as an Hon Member of Parliament, then as Chairman of various Committees, Minority Leader, Majority Leader, Second Deputy Speaker and today, the Speaker of this Parliament - [Hear! Hear!] - an institution of might and majesty. I owe this award to His continuous grace and blessings. I must say, I am extremely grateful to the Almighty God.
Indeed, many individuals have contributed in diverse ways to the success of my political career which has culminated in this recognition.

I recognised, first and foremost, my immediate and larger family whose love, prayers and support have helped me through thick and thin to weather the storms in the bumpy terrain of politics to see this day in its glory.

I also recognised the positive impact of the various Speakers of Parliament, Leadership and Members of Parliament, both past and present on my political career and I am indeed, grateful to all of you.

For the nearly three decades that I spent on the floor of this House as a Member of Parliament, I can say with certainty that I have immensely benefitted from the wisdom, experience and the constructive engagement of a significant majority of Hon Members across the political Divides in all the Parliaments which I served. I have some truly good and dependable friends on both Sides of the political divide. This has contributed to making me the Speaker and who I am today.

To my guardian angels, here I mean the good people of Nadowli/ Kaleo Constituency, whose mandate kept me in this House all these years

and propelled me in the end to the high Office of Speaker of Parliament, I will forever remain indebted to you for your unflinching and total support.

To the great National Democratic Congress (NDC) -- [Hear! Hear!] -- the platform that propelled me to stardom, you will forever grow from strength to strength and from victory on to victory -- [Hear! Hear!] -- to continue to give birth to more iconic leaders in the country and the world as a whole.

I cannot help at this point but to make reference to a quote from Johannes Alexander Gaertner, the German Art Historian, Poet and Theologian who said:

“To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble; but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.”

I will continue to live gratitude to those who have helped me along the way to get this far. Hon Members, distinguished guests, it is with great humility and a deep sense of honour that I accept from the Millennium Excellence Foundation, this prestigious Award; the Millennium Excellence Prize for Leadership and Excellence. I am sincerely appreciative of this recognition that

has been bestowed on me to crown my over twenty-eight years in Parliament from 1993 to date. I dedicate it to the Almighty God and to the good people of Nadowli/Kaleo Constituency.
Seven months ago, after all the wrangling that greeted the declaration of the results of the General Elections of December, 2020, and having become manifestly clear that the Eighth Parliament would be a hung Parliament, many were those who were apprehensive about how our Legislature would fare in this uncharted territory in the history of our parliamentary democracy. With membership of the House equally divided; each of the two political parties represented in the House having 137 Members apiece with one Independent Member and with 20 Female Members representation on each Side of the Divide, some Ghanaians feared that a gridlock in political governance was iminent.
My election as the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic from the party not in government; the first ever in our post- independence political history, fortified this fear as it was received with shock by a section of the Ghanaian public who thought that
Government policies and programmes would be imperilled.
True to my Inaugural Statement to all Ghanaians to allay those fears and place expectations in their proper perspectives, and thanks to the maturity demonstrated by this august House with particular reference to the Leadership, now, I refer to them as Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, to approving as a collective, that the growth and development of our democracy is paramount to us as representatives of the good people of Ghana.
Indeed, the statement that my choice for this Award was in recognition of my unwavering pursuit of fairness, excellence and developmental vision of the Parliamentary Affairs sector in Ghana, I must say, is candid and humbling as it reflects to the principles which have guided me this far.
Hon Members, this Award, to all intents and purposes, is a manifestation that our conduct, both on the floor of the House and outside the precincts of Parliament is under scrutiny. Also, it is a reflection of the fact that the House is constantly being monitored and assessed in the performance of our duties by the generality of the public.
While this Award has been won through the good work of not just myself but the entire House, the Award represents a loud call to duty of all of us in the House to the extent that the aspirations of the electorates and the people of Ghana would have to be served by us. It is therefore imperative that our conduct, both in and out of the House reflects the trust reposed in us by the citizenry.

We owe it a duty to the present generation and generations yet unborn, to ensure that as a people, we eschew unguarded utterances and open vituperative attacks on one another to showcase leadership by example. It is also to convince our supporters that that is the way to go in national discourse in order to advance the agenda of nation building. Hon Members, we have to work together in harmony to preserve and enhance the peace and development of our dear country.

This award further represents a call on the general public to partner with the Legislature to ensure a broad participatory approach in our democratic dispensation. Thankfully, the passage of the Right to Information Act, of 2019 (Act 989) and the

adoption of the guidelines for the introduction of Private Members' Bills in the Seventh Parliament provides opportunities for the public to actively engage in the governance of the nation through parliamentary processes.

Through the collaborative work of the Leadership and Members of the House, the revised Standing Orders is before the House to provide further avenues for public-parliament engagement. New provisions have been included in the new Standing Orders to open up Parliament and make our work more transparent and understandable to the people.

To this end, a Petitions Committee will be constituted to create the platform for channelling petitions to the House, while access to the proceedings of Committees would be made easy by reason of the fact that Committees of the House will generally sit in public except under exceptional circumstances where they will sit in camera.

In much the same way, while efforts are made to strengthen the independence of Parliament to give Ghanaians the true sense of the democracy that they voted for, Parliament will not work to frustrate the business of the Executive. As a fact, immediately after my election as Speaker of Parliament, through the initiative of the President, I built a

healthy and fruitful working relation with H. E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana.
I have also reached out to the Chief Justice and I am happy with the harmonious working relations between the Legislature and the Judiciary. The synergy this has generated in the working relations of national leadership, translates into the successes that we have achieved in resolving very delicate and thorny issues that from time to time confront our dear nation.
Hon Members, indeed, evidence abounds throughout the developed world that the majority of them made tremendous strides in their development trajectories through the collaborative, yet principled role played by the respective arms of government. The Parliament of Ghana, under my leadership, will strive to make this principle a governance culture in Ghana. We will also create space to bring the views of the generality of Ghanaians to bear on the governance of the country to ensure that decisions that affect the people of Ghana are borne out of processes that take into account the very needs of the people.
We will equally work to ensure that there is value for every decision made and for every expenditure incurred in furtherance of the development agenda of our dear country. The era when Ministers of State and other government officials ignored the call of Parliament to account for their stewardship is gone and I believe it will remain a thing of the past.
Hon Members, our ability to widen the democratic space in this country and forge ahead as a united people with a common destiny would depend on how accommodating we are of the views of one another in the interest of the good people of Ghana. Ghanaians undoubtedly voted in the December 2020 elections against extreme partisanship characterised by acrimony and rancour in our debates on the floor of the House. Indeed, it is very obvious that the people of Ghana require both sides of the House to work closely with each other to help build the country.
This is the concept on which the Parliament of Ghana was crafted. A unique Parliament, made in Ghana and though similar, it is different from all Parliaments in the world. This is found in the engrained meanings of the traditional symbols on the Mace of the House, the authority of Parliament and the horseshoe arrangement of seating in the House.
This uniqueness demands of us to strive in unity and wisdom, to build consensus more often without suppressing dissenting views or the views of the minority and the marginalised in our society.
I am quite pleased to have observed that so far, both sides of the House have performed creditably well, and I have been spared the ordeal of often overseeing a rancorous House, as witnessed in some Legislatures.
The House, by this, has succeeded in sending a message of unity and an unflinching resolve to optimally explore available avenues in order to secure greater dividends for our democracy. To this end, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Leadership and Members of the House and hope that this cordiality will be maintained to deepen our parliamentary democracy.
To His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, whose mentorship has tremendously impacted on my performance and life in general, I am extremely grateful and I know the Almighty God will continue to heap His abundant blessings on you.

I know it is your wisdom that has through Ambassador Ashim Morton, initiated this award programme and together with the distinguished Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, you have made a bold statement to chart a path for the development of our dear country and Africa by the institutionalisation of this award scheme. What else can I say than to say, we are extremely grateful and we thank all of you.

It is a scheme which identifies excellence and seeks to reward Ghanaians and Africans who have selflessly invested significantly by way of financial resources, time and knowledge, in various aspects of the socio-economic and political development of this country and Africa. You are indeed awakening the consciousness of the Ghanaian and the African to pursue excellence in whichever field they find themselves, which is a vital ingredient for the development and sustenance of any country or continent.

I will humbly and respectfully, encourage you not to rest on your oars but to continue to knock on our doors and alert us whenever you find us falling short in the performance of our duties as is consistent with the old

adage that he who charts a path does not always know that it is crooked.
Once again, I am humbled and grateful for this prestigious recognition and encouragement to continue to serve Ghana to the best of my ability. I am confident that I will continue to enjoy the unwavering support of the Leadership and all Hon Members of Parliament as well as the Clerk, management and staff of the Parliamentary Service in this effort.
I seize this opportunity to encourage all Ghanaians to strive for excellence with integrity. Indeed, the meaning of integrity is so beautifully couched in the inspirational African proverb which says:
“A clean conscience makes a soft pillow”. That is my pledge to Ghanaians, to serve with integrity.

Congratulatory Messages

Hon Members, we thank the Rt Hon Speaker, for his acceptance speech. May I now invite the Hon Minority Leader to make a comment?.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to join the multitude of Ghanaians and in particular, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, the President and Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation for the honour of appreciating the Rt Hon Speaker, who is the third respected gentleman of our Republic with the prestigious award for leadership and excellence. [Hear! Hear!]
Hail the Rt Hon Speaker hail Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin!
Mr Speaker, the Rt Hon Speaker, could not have ended his acceptance speech with better and reassuring words when we stated: “strive for excellence with integrity'' and that he would serve with integrity. We are thankful that the country can count on him.
Mr Speaker, as we listened to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, he said that “cast your eyes with COVID-19 ravaged countries'', then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, used his own words: “I am lucky''. I am sure Ghana is luckier. Mr Speaker, again, I would want to paraphrase Otumfuo Osei Tutu II when he said: “this is happening at the time that we have leaders from opposing political parties providing leadership in our country''.
Mr Speaker, the Rt Hon Speaker, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has built his own parliamentary pyramid from being an Hon Member of Parliament to Hon Minority Leader, to Hon Chairman of Committees, to Hon Majority Leader and now to the apex and zenith of it -- the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament. How refreshing that he has been recognised for this award from meritorious service to our Republic.
Mr Speaker, whiles I congratulate him, I mince no words that Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has made a remarkable if not an unparalleled contribution to the evolution and development of parliamentary democracy in Ghana particularly, under the 4th Republic. However, we are not there yet. Ghanaians expect to reap from the democratic dividends. Ghanaians expect of him as he has assured us -- [Interruption] -- and I want to paraphrase his words and probably show why President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, found comfort in saying “I am lucky''. I would associate myself with what the Rt Hon Speaker said that Parliament would not work to frustrate the Executive but Parliament would demand greater accountability and transparency that the good of the Ghanaian people are better served under his leadership as the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, one of the heart-warming contributions of Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is not just to democracy alone but on good governance in our country which has led to his genuine quest to help combat corruption in Ghana. Indeed, as the record would provide, he worked for the Global Organisation for Parliamentarians Against Corruption and he was also a member of the African Chapter of the same organisation in the African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption. We need to continue the fight. He only lit the flame.
Mr Speaker, on this auspicious day, I would only conclude by congratulating the Rt Hon Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin on this feat again by quoting the Asantehene and hope that today, we would all be guided by it. He said:
“Let us not repeat the errors of the past, be it in the management of our economy or the governance of our country; and let us demand the good of our country''.
To the Rt Hon Speaker, Mr Bagbin, today is his day, -- it is our day. We join him to celebrate this monumental achievement.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon Members, I may now invite the Hon Majority Leader for his remarks.
Mr Alexander K. Afenyo- Markin (Deputy Majority Leader) on behalf of (the

Mr Speaker, for some unavoidable reasons, the Leader of the House is unable to express few words by way of congratulating you and has, with your leave, permitted me to proceed to do so in his stead.
Mr Speaker, first, let me commend the Foundation that has honoured Parliament and you, in particular, today.
It is said that when you earn your honour in merit, you are respected; and true to it, these distinguished Ghanaians have made it a point to honour Ghanaians who distinguished themselves in their careers.
Mr Speaker, this award to you today is not just for you but it is an inspiration to the many young men and women who desire to serve their country in political capacities. For our purposes, may I look at your background; the two terms you served as a backbencher; the fact that your colleagues served in

Mr Speaker, that is the inspiration I would want our Hon Colleagues who are backbenchers to note. One comes to Parliament to meet great men and women, and it sometimes unsettles them; sometimes, one suffers depression and wonders where they are and whether they would survive at all. Especially when one is lucky to have their Party in government, one becomes so anxious to get his name mentioned as Minister or Deputy Minister. When they do not make it, they expect to be the Chairman of a Committee and when they do not make it and do not make it to the Vice Chairmanship position, then they would sit at the backbench.

Mr Speaker, today, Parliament's role in the democratic governance of this country has been acknowledged. Indeed, it is the bedrock, yet, under the national landscape, we often do not get recognised. Ghanaians often focus on the Executive and the Judiciary and other people who command resources. So, Parliament is seen as lame. It is for this reason that this recognition by the Millennium Excellence Award Foundation of your contribution is significant. However, in Parliament, key players are the parliamentarians themselves who are being led by the leadership.

Mr Speaker, you as an arbiter or a referee who umpires Parliament and to that extent, technically not part of us, by your own history you cannot be neutral but impartiality, no doubt, is expected of you and we must admit that so far so good, but it can be better. [Hear! Hear!] It can be better to

strengthen Parliament to give confidence to the electorates and to those stakeholders who are interested in the democracy of Ghana.

Mr Speaker, I must say that for the opportunity given to your delegation in the ECOWAS Parliament, it is clear that Ghana has really gone far. The time has come, through Parliament, for us to fortify that which we would have gained so that we can move on as a country.

Mr Speaker, I am sure that in your years of wandering in Libya as a young man, you never thought of coming to Parliament but you did. You prevailed. For me, in some early days of disappointment, you were a source of inspiration. I recall the number of times that you sent for me and encouraged me to continue working and adjourn that my day would come. My day has not come yet -- [Laughter] -- Our few conspiracies, positive as they were, when you said that go to Kyei and learn from him. Today, it has

benefited me and the backbenchers, I am sure, are also beneficiaries from the showers of blessings you poured on me, he has poured on me and we are all pouring it so that it would flow to enrich debate in the House.

Mr Speaker, but while I congratulate you, it is important to state again that this near hung Parliament -- it is not a hung Parliament -- Often, people say, it is a hung Parliament; it is not. With Minority Leader and Majority Leader coming together to lead us, you have been recognised as Parliamentarians, and that is what is significant.

In this House, we meet very experienced people, deep in thought. We admired some of them when we were not here. We came and met them and it is a privilege. I am forever privileged to see Hon Haruna Iddrisu still in this House. He is a very experienced legislator and I respect him so much as a Minority Leader.

I pray that he and other great personalities; such as Hon Cletus Avoka who was a former Leader of the House as well as the Hon First Deputy Speaker who are very experienced people would be

recognised by Ghanaians for their industry and contribution to democracy.

Mr Speaker, having said all of these, I would want to wish you well and highly commend you for all the great work you have done for this country. I know that the good Lord Himself will endure you with such fortitude that though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will not fall into the pit of destruction but He will see you through.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of my boss, the Hon Majority Leader, accept our warmest congratulations and we thank the Millennium Excellence Foundation whose representative no doubt, with his oratory, of course, as a distinguished free mason, delivered what was expected of him on behalf of the Otumfuo.

Thank you and God bless you.

Hon Members, before I bring proceedings of this very special Sitting to a close, permit me to recognise that also present is, the distinguished former Clerk-to-Parliament of Ghana, Mr Samuel Ntim Darkwa thank you for coming. [Hear! Hear!]
Hon Leaders, may I have any indication as to bringing proceedings to a close?

Mr Speaker, someone asked me under what rule did we start and I said, under the inherent powers of Parliament - we are the masters of our own rules.
Having said so, may I move that this House be adjourned till tomorrow at 11 a.m. which is an agreement by Leadership?

Mr Speaker, the mace is now being properly placed by the Marshal.
I have no hesitation seconding the Motion for adjournment but my understanding is that tomorrow the Speaker and our representatives at the ECOWAS Parliament have some important engagements.
Mr Speaker, so that should affect what your decision and guidance will be on our Sitting tomorrow even though I heard the Deputy Leader say 11 a.m., I was part of some discussion with you and the Speaker as well as the representative of the ECOWAS.
Therefore, if the Hon Deputy Majority Leader has no objection, I would say that you adjourn the House to 2 p.m. tomorrow to accommodate our ECOWAS delegation and representatives. I hear and compromise of one.
Mr Speaker, so, I support the Motion for adjournment, trusting that we will reconvene tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Mr Speaker that is correct -- 1 p.m. is fine. Thank you.

Very well.
Hon Members, before I take the votes on closure, I think that it is appropriate that on my own behalf and on behalf of all of you, I congratulate the Rt Hon Speaker for this award -- [Hear! [Hear!] --
I think that as you said, it is our day because the Speaker represents and leads Parliament officially, and therefore whatever honour that comes to him, that is shared by all Hon Members. On behalf of all of us, once again, congratulations Rt Hon Speaker --[Hear! Hear!] --
Question put and Motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.