Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has called on Members of Parliament to uphold the integrity and reputation of Ghana’s legislative institution by adhering strictly to established parliamentary procedures and conduct.
His call came in the wake of chaotic scenes in Parliament on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, triggered by a standoff over an unsanctioned attempt by Effiduase/Asokore MP, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, to present a statement without prior notice or approval. The situation escalated when the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, ordered the ejection of Dr Afriye from the chamber—an order met with resistance from Minority MPs who physically shielded their colleague.
Speaker Bagbin, addressing the House in the aftermath, warned that such disruptions threaten the dignity and credibility of Ghana’s Parliament, which enjoys high standing both locally and internationally.
“The Parliament of Ghana is highly ranked globally. People respect us. We are well branded and marketed internationally, and it inures to your benefit,” Bagbin stressed, reminding legislators that their individual actions reflect on the entire institution.
He cited examples where Ghanaian parliamentarians had earned unopposed victories on global platforms because of the prestige attached to the country’s legislature, underlining the cost of eroding that reputation through indiscipline.
As an experienced statesman who chairs the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments and is the immediate past president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Bagbin used the opportunity to mentor his colleagues.
“I’m getting to the end of my career, you’re now starting. Allow the old man to mentor you properly,” he urged, while encouraging MPs to familiarize themselves with procedural rules, particularly the process of filing statements on the floor.
The Speaker’s remarks served both as a rebuke and a lesson, emphasizing that the authority of the House lies in its ability to function within its rules—not through force or partisan confrontation.
As Parliament grapples with rising tensions in an increasingly polarized political environment, Bagbin’s intervention is a reminder that the long-term health of Ghana’s democracy rests on respect for its democratic institutions and their processes.
