Speaker Bagbin's handling of Abu Jinapor's allegation raises concerns – Egyapa Mercer

A former Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has questioned Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin's handling of an allegation raised by the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, on the floor of Parliament.

The controversy followed Mr Abu Jinapor's allegation on Tuesday, November 3, that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000.

The Damongo MP, who is also the Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, called for an investigation into the alleged practice.

However, the Majority Leader, James Agalga, challenged him to substantiate the allegation or withdraw it.

Speaker Bagbin subsequently directed him to withdraw the statement, indicating that he could return to the matter with evidence.

Reacting to this, the former lawmaker argued that the Speaker's decision to order the Damongo MP out of the Chamber raises concerns about the consistency with which parliamentary rules are applied.

Egyapa Mercer also cited previous instances in which allegations made by MPs had led to parliamentary investigations, questioning why Mr Abu Jinapor was treated differently.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana show on Thursday, November 5, Je said he was surprised by the Speaker's handling of the matter, particularly given his extensive experience in parliamentary proceedings.

He noted that he had served on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee with Mr Bagbin during the 2017–2020 Parliament and acknowledged his knowledge of parliamentary procedures.

"I cannot recall in the eight years that I served as a Member of Parliament that allegations made on the floor of Parliament would occasion no problem to the Speaker. Indeed, many investigations, including parliamentary committees that had been set up to interrogate issues, all emerged by way of allegations that Members of Parliament make on the floor of Parliament," he said.

"Look at his body language. Suffice it to say now, the intolerance that the Executive is manifesting is seeping into Parliament as well. That yes, because you are Minority, so you can't talk anymore," he added.