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The new Standing Orders, which mandate that members of Parliament recite the national pledge every day and institute a daily roll call of members prior to the start of business, were put into effect by Parliament on Tuesday.
The outdated Standing Orders, which were in force since 2006, have been replaced by the new ones.
The purpose of the roll call, which was recorded in order 14, is to increase the credibility of the attendance list and dispel any questions about who was in the chamber, particularly during important voting times.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, informed the members that the new Standing Order would go into effect.
Among other things, the intention is to foster a sense of responsibility and discipline toward the voters.
The national pledge is recited to foster a greater sense of patriotism and love for the nation.
The Speaker declared that the signing of the attendance books in the chamber and by the committees remains unaffected by the oral roll call.
The new Standing Orders, according to first Deputy Minority Chief Whip Ibrahim Ahmed, are intended to fill in the gaps left by the previous ones.
It mandates that some committees be split into three in order to increase efficacy and efficiency.
For example, the twenty-five-member Finance Committee has been split up into committees for Finance, Economy, and Planning.
There are currently 13 members in the economy, 13 in planning, and 15 in finance.
A committee such as Defense and Interior has also been separated.
All committee memberships, including the appointments committee, have been lowered to 13 under the new Standing Orders.
The First Deputy Speaker will chair the Appointments Committee, followed by the Vice Majority Leader, the Ranking by the Minority Leader, and the Chief Whips, in accordance with the new orders.
Three experts from any sector committee, depending on the person undergoing vetting, will also be on the Appointments Committee.
For example, three experts from the Finance committee will be added to the list for knowledgeable questioning and support when vetting a minister for the Finance position.
Read the full statement below:
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
