After each general election, the Members of Parliament elect a Speaker from among any Member (not being a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary) or any other suitable person to preside over the proceedings of the House.

The Speaker oversees the administration of the House and chairs several committees including the Parliamentary Management Committee. The Speaker ensures the orderly conduct of matters within the House. He can be described as a referee, interpreting rules in an impartial manner; and defending the rights and privileges of members, including the right of speech. He does not participate in debates, and can suspend a sitting in the case of serious disorder. The Speaker is also the spokesperson and representative of the National Assembly in its relations with the executive and other bodies outside of the House.

The fact that the Speaker sits in an elevated, middle position, with both sides of the House flanking his chair, underlines his authority. His/her entry into the Chamber is preceded by the Sergeant-at-arms, who carries the Mace, the symbol of the Speaker’s authority. The entire chamber rises on his entry, and takes their seats after him/her. The Sergeant-at-Arms then places the Mace on the table in front of the Speaker. This means that the House is in session. Whenever he leaves the Chamber, the Sergeant-at -Arms removes the Mace. This signals that the House is no longer in session.

The current Speaker is Hon. Dr. Barton U.A. SCOTLAND, C.C.H, MP.

Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker is elected in a similar manner to the Speaker, except that the Speaker, if present, presides over the elections. The Deputy Speaker replaces the Speaker when the latter is unavoidably absent.