Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung@ 40 in Ghana Chapter Three Strengthening Parliament – FES in Ghana BY John G.K. Agama LLB(Hons) BL MBA(Finance) Former Deputy Clerk to Parliament of Ghana Current state of the Parliament of Ghana The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana vests the legislative power of Ghana in Parliament. Political parties represented in the 5th Parliament of the Fourth Republic comprising 230 Members are the National Democratic Congress with 115 Members, New Patriotic Party 107 Members, Peoples National Convention 2 Members, Convention Peoples Party 1 Member and 4 Independent Members With the results of the Akwatia constituency outstanding, the membership strength of the House now stands at 229. For the first time in its history Parliament elected a female as Speaker. The Rt. Hon Speaker is the Head of Parliament assisted by two Deputy Speakers elected from the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party Leadership of Parliament consists of the Majority Leader and Leader of the House, the Minority Leader, their Deputies as well as Chief Whips and Deputy Whips. Membership of the House is divided into Majority and Minority caucuses. Though the Fourth Republican Constitution prohibits crossing of the carpet a Member of Parliament may, however, opt to collaborate with either side of the divide. In the discharge of its functions, Parliament is assisted by Standing as well as departmentally related Select Committees. The Parliamentary Service, headed by the Clerk to Parliament, provides administrative and technical support to Parliament to perform efficiently in the passage of laws and exercise effectively oversight of the Executive. 17