The Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has called on the Speaker and Parliamentary leadership to crack the whip and ensure that all members involved in last Tuesday’s chaotic incident on the floor of Parliament are held accountable without fear or favour.
“PNAfrica believes that the events witnessed constitute an attack on the integrity of Parliament, contrary to Order 30 of the Standing Orders and Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana,” a statement signed and issued by the Communications Officer of PNAfrica, Clement Akoloh, said.
The incident, which arose from a protest by the Minority over a transmittal letter to the Electoral Commission (EC) declaring the Kpandai seat vacant, has been condemned by PNAfrica as an attack on the integrity of Parliament.
Global image
“It is unfortunate that the image of Parliament has once again been thrown into disrepute as MPs engage in misconduct that continues to damage the global image of Ghana's legislature.
“We were deeply alarmed to observe otherwise Honourable Members violently heckling one another, massing up in the well of the House, and attempting to seize the Mace—the revered symbol of Parliament’s authority. Such conduct constitutes a grave affront to the dignity of the House and falls squarely within acts deemed contemptuous of Parliament,” PNAfrica said.
“While we refrain from claiming vindication, it is clear that this is exactly the kind of deterioration we have consistently warned against in our numerous calls to the Speaker and Parliament to address MPs’ misconduct decisively,” it added.
Recall
PNAfrica recalled that since 2021, it has waged a sustained advocacy campaign on these matters, adding that only weeks ago, it issued a statement marking nine months of silence from Parliament regarding the chaotic scenes at the Appointments Committee during the vetting of the first batch of ministerial nominees for John Mahama administration.
The latest attempt by MPs to interfere with the Mace is regrettable.
It signals a growing boldness in misconduct—emboldened by the absence of consequences, even in the presence of the Speaker himself.
“We are increasingly persuaded that the failure to sanction disorderly conduct since the first major incident during the election of the Speaker in January 2021 is what has emboldened members and contributed to the recurrence of such unruly scenes.
The sanctity of Parliament was pierced then, and despite PNAfrica’s persistent advocacy, the situation has been left to fester.
“PNAfrica, therefore, reiterates its call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to draw on his extensive parliamentary experience and use the authority of his office to restore discipline and order in the House—an action that will stand as a lasting legacy of his tenure,” the statement concluded.
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