Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has advised newly sworn-in Ablekuma North Member of Parliament, Eruwabena Aubynn, to embrace discipline, integrity, and a strong work ethic as she begins her tenure in the legislature.
Administering the oath of office on Tuesday, 22nd July, the Speaker urged Ms Aubynn—who is now the youngest MP in the House—to be diligent, punctual, and attentive, emphasising that Parliament is a space for learning, service, and leadership.
“Being the youngest Member of Parliament, I urge you, please be punctual, be ever present in Parliament, be calm, listen more, learn from your colleagues, but please read everything, not only the Constitution,” Mr Bagbin counselled.
He reminded the new MP that her victory in the recent by-election rerun in Ablekuma North comes with a mandate to serve her constituents selflessly. “You are now the hope of the people of the constituency. They are looking up to you to do something to improve their lives. It is a trust, and this, I pray, you don’t abuse. Four years is just a day—you will go back to them and they will assess you this time based on your performance,” the Speaker warned.
Mr Bagbin further urged her to stay true to herself and not succumb to external pressures or undue influences. He stressed that while she contested on a party ticket, it was her personal character and appeal that ultimately earned her the votes.
“And so don’t allow any person to change who you are. They voted for you, even though it was on a party ticket, but there are many members in the party in that constituency. They voted for you, so please commit yourself to them,” he added.
Ms Aubynn’s swearing-in followed her victory in a by-election rerun on July 11 in 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North. The rerun was necessitated by procedural issues in the initial vote.
Her entry into Parliament increases the representation of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to 184 seats, with four independent MPs. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) now holds 86 seats.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus staged a walkout before the swearing-in ceremony, registering their protest against the outcome of the by-election.
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