Ghana’s 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic was over the weekend concluded and adjourned to allow members to focus on their re-election campaigns.
The 7th Parliament has been one of the successful Parliaments in the history of the 4th Republic, with a record number of legislations being passed in its life.
While the Majority Chief Whip, Kwesi Ameyaw-Cheremah, in his closing remarks called for greater public awareness on the COVID-19 pandemic; Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, emphasised the need for peace as the country goes into the December 7 polls.
The Speaker of the House, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, hopes for a peaceful transition to the next parliament.
“Honourable members, the house is making adequate preparations towards the dissolution of the 7th parliament and I urged all to work in tandem for a seamless transition. As the 2020 general elections approach, I wish you all the very best and I pray that our nation will be law-abiding as we know it has always been and that every official will play his or her part according to the requirements of the law of our country. Honourable Members, I am confident that together, we can have an orderly, fair and credible election”, he said.
Before the adjournment, the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa was in the parliament to brief the house on its level of preparedness for the polls.
She said, her outfit is 95 percent prepared to deliver successful, credible, fair and orderly elections.
The electoral management body assured that issues related to procurement, logistics and the conduct of the election within a safe environment despite the advent of COVID-19 have been thrashed out.
Procurement of a variety of election materials for the election including ballot boxes, thumbprint pads, stationery, identification jackets, polling station booths, rechargeable lamps, indelible ink, educational posters, seals among others have also been made.
“Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform you that the Electoral Commission is 95 per cent ready for the successful, credible, fair, orderly and peaceful conduct of the election on December 7, 2020”, Jean Mensa said.