Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has expressed strong disapproval over the altercation that erupted during the Appointments Committee’s vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Addressing Parliament the following day, Bagbin described the incident as “disgraceful and deeply regrettable”, warning that parliamentary privilege does not extend to disorderly conduct.
The heated exchange between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) disrupted proceedings, raising concerns about the state of parliamentary decorum. The Speaker criticized the conduct of the legislators, stating that they “could not exercise a scintilla of emotional intelligence” and that such an incident was happening at a particularly critical time.
Eroding Public Trust in Parliament
Bagbin warned that Parliament’s credibility was at stake, emphasizing that “this House must acknowledge that it is rapidly eroding public confidence.” He lamented that the chaos directly contradicted his repeated calls for discipline and respect during parliamentary proceedings.
To address the situation, the Speaker announced the formation of a seven-member special committee to conduct a full-scale investigation into the matter. He assured that “any member found culpable shall face appropriate disciplinary actions” and made it clear that the committee’s chairman was still responsible for executing his duties.
The Speaker’s response signals a firm stance against disorder in Ghana’s legislative process, reinforcing the need for professionalism and decorum among elected officials.
