Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a formal apology to the Justices who witnessed a heated clash between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during the vetting of President Mahama’s Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Tuesday.
The dispute led to the minority walking out of the proceedings.
“Honourable members, the standing orders require us to maintain order and decorum in the house and in committee, and to refrain from offensive, insulting, or unbecoming language,” Speaker Bagbin said in Parliament.
“In particular, order 123 rule 3 cautions members against imputing improper motives or using words that are disrespectful or likely to offend.”
The incident began when Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed nominee,” prompting Majority Leader Ayariga to object, calling the remark politically charged and inappropriate.
Afenyo-Markin responded by accusing the Majority of trying to stifle legitimate parliamentary debate and accountability.
The dispute has its roots in campaign claims made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 elections, which suggested that the government would replace Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo — a development that has now materialised under the Mahama administration.
Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed Parliament’s respect for the judiciary as a co-equal arm of government under Article 125, clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution, emphasising that the judiciary is “independent of control or direction from any person or authority.”
He reminded lawmakers of the doctrine of separation of powers, which requires the executive, legislature, and judiciary to operate with mutual respect and restraint.
He also directed the leadership of the Appointments Committee to ensure that all future proceedings uphold “the highest standards of civility, objectivity, and institutional respect.”
Speaker Bagbin concluded: “On your behalf, I extend our deepest apologies and assurances of paramount continued respect for the judiciary and its esteemed members.”