[Photos] Ghana's 7th Parliament inaugurated

The Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic was duly inaugurated the dawn of Saturday, January 7. All 275 Members including first timers were sworn in by Prof. Mike Oquaye, who had been earlier elected and  sworn-in as the new Speaker. He was sworn in by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood. Below are some breathtaking moments during the ceremony on Saturday: [caption id="attachment_38725" align="alignnone" width="507"] New entrant to Parliament Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who will represent Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency in the E/R[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38723" align="alignnone" width="507"] Another new entrant but an experienced public officer, Dr Alfred Nii Okoe Vanderpuye, who represents Ablekuma South[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38724" align="alignnone" width="507"] Some of the oldies retained their seats…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38732" align="alignnone" width="507"] …it then becomes a blend of old and new. Former Member for Wenchi West Asiedu Nketia (R) has some words for oldie Ato Forson (M) and Vanderpuye (L)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38739" align="alignnone" width="507"] The Holy Bible and the Quran were made available for the swear-in…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38738" align="alignnone" width="507"] Son of Former President Rawlings was in the public gallery probably to support his elder sister, Zanetor, who is one of the new faces[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38742" align="alignnone" width="507"] Dr Zanetor Rawlings (in black) will represent Klottey Korle[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38743" align="alignnone" width="507"] It was a hale and hearty moment on the floor….[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38744" align="alignnone" width="507"] Leadership on the Minority side has switched as Haruna Iddrisu (in light blue jacket) leads…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38745" align="alignnone" width="507"] The Majority side also tweaked its leadership slightly…Adwoa Safo (lady in handshake) joins Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu as leaders
[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38747" align="alignnone" width="507"] Former President Rawlings (in white standing) was also present, in a rare gesture…probably to support his daughter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38753" align="alignnone" width="507"] …but the opportunity was not missed to ‘patch up with’ Okoe Vanderpuye[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38751" align="alignnone" width="507"] The two received applause for it…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38755" align="alignnone" width="507"] It was a bury-the-hatchet moment from Thursday’s widely circulated ‘Okoe snub’ video[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38754" align="alignnone" width="507"] The two became the cynosure of all eyes…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38756" align="alignnone" width="507"] …in the absence of a Speaker, the clerk ran proceedings[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38758" align="alignnone" width="507"] …until a Speaker was sworn in[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38760" align="alignnone" width="507"] Prof Mike Oquaye becomes the next Speaker of Parliament[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38763" align="alignnone" width="507"] …and he takes over the running of affairs[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38762" align="alignnone" width="507"] Prof Oquaye administers the oath of Members of Parliament…[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38767" align="alignnone" width="507"] …the mace-bearer cannot be overlooked at such rare moments[/caption] [caption id="attachment_38769" align="alignnone" width="507"] Seventh Parliament ready for Nana Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in[/caption] Photos taken by Ayerkie Narnor|3news.com|Ghana Follow @3Newsgh]]>