Kofi Agyepong
8 January 2009
Retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, has been elected as the first ever woman Speaker of Parliament in Ghana. She is the 4th Speaker of the 5th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana.
Mrs. Joyce Bamford-Addo was accepted unopposed by both the minority and the majority in parliament.
In swearing the oath of office, she said, "I Joyce Bamford-Addo, do in the name of the Almighty God swear,
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Ghana as by law established, that I will uphold the integrity of the Republic of Ghana, that I would faithfully and consciously discharge my duties as Speaker of Parliament, and that I would uphold, preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana,
and that I would do right to all manner of persons in accordance with the Constitution of Ghana, and the laws and conventions of parliament without fear or favour, affection or ill will, so help me God."
Chief Justice Mrs. Georgina Wood, administered the official oath to induct the new Speaker, described in preceding biographies as a gentle, studious and firm advocate of justice and fairness, into office.
Mrs. Bamford-Addo resigned as Supreme Court Judge in 2003 following the elevation of her junior, Justice Kingsley Acquah to the position of Chief Justice. She earlier worked at the Attorney-General's Department and rose through the rank to become the Director of the Public Prosecutions.
With her appointment, Joyce Bamford-Addo has become the third highest personality of the land.
Also appointed to leadership positions in parliament are Doe Adjaho, MP for Avenor Ave as First Deputy Speaker, and Professor Mike Ocquaye, MP for Dome Kwabenya, Second Deputy Speaker.
Uncharacteristic of parliament, all nominations were accepted without any opposition yesterday.
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