The Speaker of Parlaiment, Alban Bagbin has lifted a temporary ban placed on some four Members of Parliament for their misconducts during recent vetting proceedings of nominees of President Mahama.
The speaker has had to issue a ban order on three MPs of the minority and one MP of the Majority in Parliament following their “disorderly conduct which amounted to contempt.” The individuals namely Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompre, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Jerry Ahmed Shaib were handed a two-week ban from parliament as they were seen involved in the disruption of vetting proceedings on Thursday January 30, 2025.
The incident was followed by an appology from the vetting committee the next vetting day.
Ahead of parliamentary proceedings today, the minority in parliament appeared in black and red attires in protest against the speaker’s decision.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, both sides beseeched the speaker to reconsider his decision on the ban and allow their respective MPs to return to parliament.
After hearing both sides advocate for the same purpose, the speaker expressed his satisfaction with not just each side’s statement but their conduct following the incident as well. Explaining through a father-son relationship, the speaker said though a son might commit an offence, it is not wise to punish him to the point of breaking his leg.
“Yes, as a father, when your son commits an offence, you don’t punish your son to the extend that you break his leg. That becomes a big problem for you the father,” he expressed.
“Nobody is perfect. We are all fallible. So I listened to the appology and here, it was repeated by the minority leader for and behalf of the members of the caucus and supported by the majority leader. It’s not only words. Before me, the demonstrated and assured me of their total support to me and the deputy speakers to ensure that we have an efficient and an effective functioning parliament in Ghana.”
“So i am satisfied with not just the statement, but also their conducts. I will proceed to lift the suspension of the four members of parliament that I considered were involved in disorderly conducts which amounted to contempt,” he said.
There were heated debates as to whether the speaker’s decision to suspend the said individuals was constitutional.
Addressing the confusion, Mr. Bagbin clarified that parliament’s standing orders grant him the authority to make such a decision. This, he explained also was because “we’re in transitional mood, we’ve not been able to put committies in place to include that of the priviledges committee.”
Nevertheless, Mr. Bagbin says anyone who still wants to proceed to court on the matter, is at liberty to embark on such a course of action, as he is not afraid to appear before court.
“So I have lifted the suspension order. And I do so instantly and it takes effect immediately,” he reiterated.
He established that the affected MPs may now be allowed entry to parliament.
He concluded by expressing appreciation to the banned MPs for adhering to the ban order.
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