Speaker Bagbin Ordered Sefwi-Wiawso MP Out Of Parliament Over ‘rude’ Comment

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has directed the Marshal to walk the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie out of the house over a comment deemed as disrespectful.

Following the nomination of two justices to the Supreme Court by President Akufo-Addo, Alban Bagbin urged the house to look into the issues of the full complement of the Supreme Court when the Appointments Committee presents its report on the nominees to the plenary for consideration.

However, the MP for Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie said it does not lie with the Speaker to make such prejudicial comments. “I believe that as representative of the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it does not lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you said.”

Out of fury, the Speaker ordered the Marshal to take the MP from the house, describing the MP’s comment as rude and disrespectful,

He stated,  “This is a completely rude remark and I can send you out of the house now in light of my authority to do so. You represent the good people of Sefwi-Wiaso, I represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the house. I will not tolerate such disrespect.”

However, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh rendered an apology to the Speaker on behalf of the caucus.

“Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided us, and how we have navigated us to this point. We have had moments of tension, we have had some tense moments in the House, and all that you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us as a leadership to help you right now. What happened a moment ago was unfortunate.”

“So, I want to, on behalf of the entire caucus and my colleagues, I want to render my apologies to you and your office, and we hope that this draws the curtains, and let’s bring matters into, we are very sorry, we apologize sincerely for what happened. I say this on behalf of the member, and also on behalf of the entire caucus, we are sorry.”