Parliament will next week commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Rt. Hon. Justice Daniel Francis Kweipe Annan, the first Speaker of Parliament under the Fourth Republic, with a two-day programme to honour his contribution to Ghana’s democratic and parliamentary development.
The events, scheduled for July 15 and 16 under the auspices of the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, will celebrate the legacy of Justice Annan, who served as Speaker of the First and Second Parliaments of the Fourth Republic from 1993 to 2001.
Justice Annan is widely credited with playing a central role in shaping Ghana’s parliamentary democracy following the country’s return to constitutional rule in 1993 and helping to lay the foundation for the operations of the Fourth Republican Parliament.
The commemoration will begin on Wednesday, July 15, with statements on the floor of Parliament by both the Majority and Minority leadership, reflecting on the late Speaker’s life, distinguished public service and contributions to democratic governance.
Activities will continue on Thursday, July 16, with a wreath-laying ceremony in his honour, followed by a memorial lecture at the D. F. Annan Auditorium in Parliament House.
The memorial lecture will be delivered by retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice William Atuguba, and is expected to examine Justice Annan’s enduring influence on Ghana’s constitutional governance and parliamentary tradition.
In a statement, Parliament said the commemoration is intended to celebrate the lasting legacy of one of Ghana’s foremost parliamentary leaders while reaffirming the institution’s commitment to the democratic principles and values he championed.
Speaker Bagbin has invited members of the diplomatic corps, the media, civil society organisations, key stakeholders in Ghana’s democratic process and the general public to participate in the activities in honour of the late statesman.
