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For the second time in the history of the incumbent political administration, a constitutional provision on who takes the mantle of leadership in the absence of both the President and Vice President is being invoked, as the two leaders are out of the country. |
As the Constitution stipulates, Speaker of Parliament Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes is now the acting President, the first time being when former Speaker Ala Adjetey held the position.
The baton change is in consonance with Chapter 8, Article 11 of the Constitution which states: “Where the President and the Vice President are both unable to perform the functions of the President, the Speaker of Parliament shall perform those functions until the President or the Vice President is able to perform those functions or a new President assumes office, as the case may be”.
Article 12 of the same chapter states: “The Speaker shall, before commencing to perform the functions of the President under clause (11) of this article, take and subscribe the oath set out in relation to the office of President”.
Acting President, Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes was sworn in last night by Chief Justice Georgina Wood.
Speaker Sekyi-Hughes would be on the saddle till Saturday when the President returns.
State machinery would be at his disposal and he is capable of effecting a Cabinet reshuffle within the period if he so desires.
President John Agyekum Kufuor emplaned for Paris, France last night for an official engagement.
The First Gentleman is expected, during the trip to France, to launch “The Alliance for African Foundation”, an organisation dedicated to the sustainable development of Africa.
A statement issued by the Office of the President and signed by Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary, explained that the foundation, which is being promoted by a number of world leaders, would identify and provide resources to support specific projects in capacity-building, agro-food industry and public service at large.
It said Accra and Milan would be the host cities of the legal and operational headquarters of the foundation respectively.
The Number Two Citizen, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on the other hand, is undertaking an investment promotion tour of Asia and the Middle East.
The President is expected back home on Saturday.
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