There is growing bi-partisan support among lawmakers for First Deputy Speaker, Hon Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho, to be appointed the next Speaker of Ghana�s Legislature.
Citi News gathers that there is growing consensus within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the post of Speaker, be given to an indigene of the Volta Region.
The idea is to reward the region for the massive support it continues to show to the NDC since Ghana�s return to constitutional rule in 1992.
Widely regarded as the best material for the job, the Ave-Avenor MP has been in the Ghanaian Legislature since 1993 and was re-elected on December 7, 2012 to serve another four-year term as MP for the newly created Akatsi-South Constituency.
But, the former Deputy Minority Leader will have to, in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution, vacate his seat as MP, if he gets elected on January 5 as Speaker.
Credible Government and Parliamentary sources have said the search for a new head of the Ghanaian Legislature has become necessary, following indications that the current Speaker, Justice Joyce Bamford Addo, will not accept another term as the third most powerful person in the land.
The aging former Supreme Court Judge is said to have cited poor health as reason for her intention to return to a quite private life outside government.
In the past, candidates for the position of Speaker were traditionally sponsored by the Executive arm of government. But, Parliamentary sources say, this time around, there is a strong view from within Parliament that the House will be made to propose its own candidate for the soon-to-be vacant post.
�If those of us pushing for the House to propose its own candidate win the debate, I am certain it will be Hon Doe Adjaho who will get the job,� a source told our Parliamentary Correspondent, Richard Sky.
�There is no doubt that Hon Adzaho is arguably the best man with deep knowledge on Parliamentary Practice, rules and procedure in Ghana today,� another source added, saying �both NDC and NPP MPs believe Hon Adzaho can do a good job as Speaker.�
Although Hon Doe Adjaho is being seen by colleague MPs as the best material for the Job of Speaker, Citi News is reliably informed that he could face competition from former Deputy Speaker, Hon Ken Dzirasah, who is currently the head of the Ghana Refugee Board.
Also, NDC insiders have said some party members are rooting for former NDC Chairman and life patron of the defunct Democratic People�s Party, Dr Yaw Obed Asamoah, to become the next Speaker.
<<Print>>