Speaker Bagbin's behaviour towards Sefwi-Wiawso MP threatens Ghana's democracy — Kwamena Duncan
Kwamena Duncan has criticised the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for his handling of Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, during parliamentary proceedings on Monday, July 22, 2024.
The incident occurred when Dr. Kwaku Afriyie challenged Speaker Bagbin's comments during the announcement of new justices for the Supreme Court by the President, describing the Speaker's remarks as prejudicial.
Dr. Afriyie stated, “With all due respect to your chair, these preliminary remarks you are making are 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.”
Speaker Bagbin reacted sharply, labelling Dr. Afriyie's statement as disrespectful and ordered the Marshal to escort him out of the House.
“This is a completely rude remark and I can send you out of the House. It lies in my authority to do so. I represent the whole country; you represent the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso. Please Marshal, take him out of the House, I will not entertain such disrespect,” the Speaker asserted.
Reacting to this on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, former Central Region Minister Kwamena Duncan defended Dr. Afriyie, arguing that his comments were not disrespectful.
Duncan quizzes, "That definition of gross disorder...is it the Speaker who makes that definition? And that the point made by Kwaku Afriyie that this doesn't lie in your mouth, does it constitute gross disorder?"
Duncan concluded by expressing concern over the Speaker's conduct, stating that “such behaviour poses a major threat to democracy."