He, therefore, reminded the MPs that their actions and inactions carried immense power, effect and impact on Ghanaians and the world at large.

In a formal communication to the House last Tuesday, Mr Bagbin said he had, therefore, instructed “the Office of the Clerk and the Legal Services Office to provide all the needed support to the investigation by the Ghana Police Service within the framework of the 1992 Constitution, the laws of this country and the Standing Orders of the House,” he said

He said although MPs enjoyed some privileges, “I want it to be made clear once more that these privileges are not absolute.

They must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land.”

Context

The Speaker’s communication followed the recent allegation that the MP for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, incited young people during an encounter between residents and a military team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat in Hwidiem on Saturday, November 1, this year.

Mr Bagbin said the report of attack on the NAIMO team was most worrying, especially when it was allegedly incited by a member of the House, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, who further roped in a senior member of the House, Collins Dauda.

Mr Bagbin condemned in no uncertain terms the attack on a team of security officers who were assigned to help deal with the menace of galamsey which has to be dealt with robustly.

He pointed out that Ghanaians looked to the House as “a beacon of hope and it is our collective duty to set a standard that reflects the values of our great nation.”

He assured the security agencies of the full cooperation of Parliament in conducting an investigation concerning the MP and all other pending investigations involving members of Parliament. 

Submission to CID

Mr Bagbin told the House that he had been made to understand that the MP had voluntarily submitted himself to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police to assist in the investigation, as many members had done in other cases under investigation.

He said there were so many MPs that were under investigation, and his office had never shielded any, saying that “many have volunteered themselves without coming through my office”.

“And so please let it not be said anywhere that members of Parliament are being shielded from the rule of law, not at all,” he stated.

Non-partisan  

Contributing, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said political actors must stop looking at the political convenience and the gains in the fight against illegal mining.

“Mr Speaker, can we not, as political leaders, for once, agree to stay above the partisan approach on this matter and deal with it.

Let the citizenry know that this is the matter that affects that country and our own livelihood,” he said.

Above the law

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said legislators must not consider themselves above the law and must be ready to be held accountable for their actions and inactions.

“I believe we as MPs will not, in any way, deliberately go out of our way to tamper with the work of the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties,” he said.