Chiefs in the Upper West Region have called on the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama and the incoming government to retain the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban ASK Bagbin in the ninth parliament as Speaker.
The traditional rulers believed that the retention of Speaker Bagbin in the ninth parliament is in the interest of the state, citing his wealth of experience and dedication to national duty exhibited in the last four years.
Speaking to Info Radio, Gbankor Naa, Naa Jamaa Matarah II, one of the chief at the forefront of the call, indicated the Speaker of Parliament has proven his worth and will do even better if given the opportunity to continue and build upon his legacy.
“The good works of our son [Speaker Bagbin] are evident. I am not talking about when he was MP [Member of Parliament].
“Nationally, in the last four years as Speaker, he made parliament more responsive, pass legislations, talk about the passage of the much-talked about LBGTQ bill and others,” he said.
He emphasized that the call for the retention of the Speaker was in the state, as both members of the two major political divide were also advocating for his reign as Speaker of the next parliament.
Naa Matarah II further noted that the Speaker of Parliament has championed several development initiatives in the Upper West Region including the construction of an astroturf at McCoy College of Education, renovation of Wa Sports Park, construction schools, supports to the Palace of the Overlord of the Wala State, and support for female soccer among others.
“Come to our locality here, look at McCoy Training College, an astroturf he has constructed; our Wa Sports Stadium that dilapidated, he brought it back to glory; our ladies playing football, he is singlehandedly pushing them forward; the Wa Naa’s Palace, cash and kind, his works are enormous,” he cited.
He said Speaker Bagbin made those accomplishments both at the national and regional level as a Speaker of Parliament from an opposition political party and thus, expressed conviction that “he will do much more if retained.”
Naa Matarah II intimated a good turn deserves another as he averred that “the call to retain Speaker Bagbin is based on meritocracy and not just because he hails from our locality.”
He, therefore, called on the President-elect, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Members of Parliament-elect, and all who matter in processes of retaining the Speaker to do so without hesitation.
The call by the chiefs to retain Speaker Bagbin in the ninth parliament is also held by some groups and individuals as the way to go.
President of the Professionals Forum of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sam Pee Yalley, has urged newly elected NDC Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote for Alban Bagbin as Speaker of the next Parliament.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin also commended the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for the way and manner he steered affairs in the 8th Parliament and wants him retained in the 9th Parliament but that if the National Democratic Congress decides to change him, an existing member of the house, “someone who will understand us,” should be appointed.