President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo in consultation with the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has nominated former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye as the next Speaker of Parliament.

It will be confirmed by Parliament House if Prof. Oquaye would take over from Rt. Hon. Edward K. Doe Adjaho as the next Speaker of Parliament.

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For a candidate to emerge as Speaker, he or she must have been elected by members of the House or persons who are qualified to be elected as a member of Parliament.

The Sixth Parliament under the Fourth Republic is expected to be dissolved by midnight on Friday.

Background of Mike Oquaye

Mike Oquaye served as the Second Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament between 2009 and 2013. He also was Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya constituency, a strong hold of the NPP, from 2005 to 2013.

From 2001 to 2004, Oquaye served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to India. In February 2005 he became Minister of Energy, and later he was moved to the post of Minister of Communications.

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Mike Oquaye is a professor of Political science at the University of Ghana, (Legon), and was previously the Head of the Department of Political Science and member of the University’s Academic Board, the highest authority at the level of the faculties.

He received his Ph.D from School of Oriental and African Studies in London, as well as winning the Rockefeller Senior Scholar Award in 1993 and the Senior Fulbright Scholar Award in 1997.

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First and second Deputies

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Bekwai in the Ashanti region, Mr Joe Osei-Owusu has also been proposed as the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Mr Osei-Owusu in a radio interview said, "I must say that the discussion has gone on for some time now, it’s been back and forth. Very senior members actually talked me into coming into that position."

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On the side of the Minority, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, MP for Nadowli/Kaleo has been proposed as the Second Deputy Speaker.

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Majority and Minority Leaders

The Majority side has also selected Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Member of Parliament for Suame as the Majority Leader whiles Sarah Adwoa Sarfo, Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya in Greater Accra is the Deputy Minority Leader.

Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu has also been nominated as the Minority Leader in parliament.

He beat Member of Parliament for Ketu North and Chairman of the Finance Committee of Parliament, James Avedzi to the post.