Yes, that is what under normal circumstances should be the case, but what needs to be pointed out is the fact that the current structure of parliament which makes it more or less a blockade to the party in government can equally become a dangerous recipe for bribery and corruption.
First of all, the legislature has not been able to satisfactorily purge itself of the corruption perception the public has held about it over the years which has been underscored by some allegations by not just its own members but leading ones for that matter.
In 2008, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Esikuma-Odobin-Brakwa Constituency, Paul Collins Appiah-Ofori alleged that members on the then-Majority side (NPP) had been paid $5,000 each by the government to push forward the Vodafone deal.
Cooperation, dialogue must guide Parliament-Bagbin ghanaiantimes.com.gh - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ghanaiantimes.com.gh Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The dissolution is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Immediately after 12 am, newly elected members of the incoming session of Parliament will convene to elect a Speaker and two deputies in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution after which the elected Speaker will swear members in as lawmakers.
This year’s exercise is unique as both sides of the House are claiming to be in the Majority because both the NPP and NDC have 137 seats each in the new parliament.
The NDC has insisted it will nominate a Speaker, in the person of Alban Bagbin who is the longest-serving MP in Ghana’s history, while the NPP wants to maintain the current Speaker Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye who has held the position since January 2017.