GHANA’s legislature like any of the two other arms of government has its own administrative structure. There are several portfolios joined together to form the Parliamentary Service which plays a unique role in the affairs of parliamentary business.
Folks, kindly take your seats and let me walk you through various portfolios which form the umbrella body of the Parliamentary Service.
The legislative arm of Ghana is run by the Parliamentary Service which was established in 1993 by the Parliamentary Service Act (Act 460) pursuant to Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution.
It has a governing board composed of six members with the Speaker of Parliament as the Chairman. The head of the service is the Clerk to Parliament who is assisted by three deputies, heads of departments, unit heads and other specialised officers.
The Parliamentary Service exists to facilitate the work of Parliament through the provision of support services to the House including its committees and agencies for the purpose of ensuring full and effective exercise of the powers of Parliament.
Furthermore, it works to enhance the dignity of the House and adequately informs the public on parliamentary activities. In discharging its functions, the service ensures transparency, non-partisanship and a high sense of professionalism.
The Parliamentary Service is governed by a board called, “the Parliamentary Service Board,” which is composed of the Speaker, as Chairman; four other members appointed by the Speaker acting in accordance with the advice of a Committee of Parliament; and the Clerk to Parliament.
The Board has the responsibility of promoting the welfare of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Staff of the Service. It also has general control of management of the Service in matters of policy. The Speaker has ultimate responsibility for the Service.
The Position of Clerk to Parliament
With the prior approval of Parliament, the Board makes regulations, prescribing the terms and conditions of service of officers and other employees for the effective and efficient administration of the Service.
The Parliamentary Service Board appoints the Clerk of Parliament and other members of staff of the Service in consultation with the Public Services Commission (PSC).
The role of Clerk of Parliament
The Clerk to Parliament is often seen as the face of the Parliamentary Service as he/she serves as the principal advisor to the Speaker and Members on matters of privilege, practice and procedure. As head of the Parliamentary Service, it is the duty of the Clerk to: arrange Sittings of the House; prepare the Order Paper, and; keep the Minutes Book.
Bills passed by the House are authenticated by the Clerk for Presidential assent. It is also the duty of the Clerk to preside over the first Sitting of a newly elected Parliament for the purpose of electing the Speaker.
The Clerk also presides over the Management Committee comprising the three Deputy Clerks and Heads of Departments. In the discharge of his duties, the Clerk demonstrates non-partisanship and impartiality.
Aside from the Clerk of Parliament and his three Deputy Clerks, there are other supporting staff who ensure that the work of the legislature goes on smoothly. Here are some of the departments under the Parliamentary Service: Public Affairs, Votes & Proceedings, Order Papers, Hansard, and Printing among others.
Clerks of Parliament play a very important role but they are the most forgotten in the scheme of things. Ghana, since 1952, has had eight (8) Clerks of Parliament, four (4) under the Fourth Republic and four (4) under the other regimes. Here are the names of both past and present Clerks of Parliament:
Mr. Edward. Aitken Niven Ffoulkes-Crabbe – 1952-1955, Mr. K.B. Ayensu – 1955-1966, Mr. Christian Albert Lokko – 1969-1971, Mr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey-Orleans – 1979-1981, Mr. Samuel Ntim Darkwa – 1993-1996, Nana Rex Owusu-Ansah– 1997-2001, Mr. Kenneth Enos Kofi Tachie – 2001 – 2007 and Mr. Emmanuel K. Anyimadu who is the currently Clerk. He succeeded Mr. Enos Kofi Tachie in 2007 and has been at post till date.
Know Your Currently Leadership of Parliament
Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye – Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Osei-Owusu – First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin – Second Deputy Speaker. The rest are: Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu – Majority Leader, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo – Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu – Minority Leader, Hon. James Klutse Avedzi – Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh – Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Matthew Nyindam – First Dep. Majority Whip, Hon. Moses Anim – Second Dep. Majority Whip, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka – Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Ibrahim, Ahmed – First Dep. Minority Whip and Hon. Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe – Second Dep. Minority Whip
Today In Parliament
…with Franklin Asare-Donkoh
