I was duly elected with 138 votes

The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin has denounced claims by the Majority Leader of Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that he was selected based on consensus.

The Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has in several interviews indicated that both sides of the house agreed to makes Alban Sumana Bagbin the Speaker of the house because his election was inconclusive.

But in his address to Parliament at its first official sitting, the Speaker of Parliament who is Ghana’s longest serving Parliamentarian in the fourth Republic denounced claims made by Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that he was selected and not elected.

To Mr Bagbin, he was duly elected as the Speaker of Parliament and not selected as the NPP and its members suggest.

He said: ” I fully subscribe to that view. No more, no less. Cooperation, dialogue, accommodation, and consensus building must guide this Parliament in the conduct of its business. We must work together for the betterment of Ghana and Ghanaians. That I believe is the demand of Ghanaians and the loud and clear message of the 2020 general elections. That is the message in the votes of 136 in favor of Rt Hon. Aaron Mike Oquaye, as to 138 for Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, with one spoilt ballot, which propelled me to this high office of Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana. The battle is always the Lords. Glory be to the Most High God. I thank you for the patience and attention”.

Source: MyNewsGh.com/ Ayeh Offei-Akoto/2021