On Monday, July 22, 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, lashed out at the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, Kwaku Afriyie, for questioning his authority.
While announcing the president’s nomination of two new persons for the office of Supreme Court Justices, the Speaker noted the need for the House to consider legislation to cap the maximum number of judges appointed to the apex court.
However, the MP for Sefwi Wiawso raised an objection against the Speaker’s comment, grounding his protest in his capacity as representative of the people of his constituency.
“Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to your chair, this preliminary comment you are making is prejudicial, and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you have said, thank you,” he remarked.
The comment by the MP, however, did not sit well with the Speaker, who deemed it rude.
In response, Speaker Bagbin asserted his role as being superior to that of the MP and went ahead to order his immediate removal from the chamber.
“This is a completely rude remark, and I can send you out of the House now. It lies in my authority to do so. You represent the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso; I represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect,” he ordered.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, following the Speaker’s order, rendered an apology to Mr. Bagbin on behalf of his colleague and the caucus.
“Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided us with and how you have navigated us to this point. We have had moments of tension; we have had some tense moments in the House, and through all that, you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us as leaders to help you right now. What happened a moment ago was unfortunate,” he told the Speaker.
However, Mr. Kwaku Afriyie, during an interview on Monday evening, maintained that he was never out of line with his objection and renounced the apology issued on his behalf.
“He (Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh) does not have my permission to apologize to the Speaker. And this one you can put on record: I haven’t done anything wrong; why should I apologize?
“Whatever happens, I will advise myself. I will not be prejudicial in saying some things. That will be very unfortunate on my part, so you let the issue unfold, and then we shall see. So far, I haven’t done anything wrong; I haven’t insulted the Speaker; I haven’t disrespected him; where’s the disrespect?” he stated in an interview on Citi FM.
“Actually, it was with a lot of humility that I acted, and that was why I told the Marshal to let me bow to the chair. I was raised in the palace. That is all. I have not done anything wrong to apologize for,” he added.
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