Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has issued a stern warning to legislators, vowing to crack down on indiscipline and disorderly conduct during proceedings.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, November 11, the Speaker said Parliament had reached a point where stronger measures were necessary to safeguard its dignity and uphold the principles of governance.
“I want to assure all of you that I will come back on this issue of decency, discipline and decorum. And this time, I’m coming with the hammer and not the gavel,” Speaker Bagbin warned.
His comments followed a heated exchange between the majority and minority leaders during the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, where tensions flared over remarks deemed inappropriate.
The confrontation began when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin referred to the Chief Justice nominee as a “disputed nominee”.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga immediately objected, arguing that the description was inappropriate and risked undermining the dignity of the Judiciary.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, however, insisted that the Majority was attempting to suppress legitimate parliamentary scrutiny.
In response to the incident, Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed Parliament’s duty to maintain respect for the Judiciary and uphold the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“As Speaker, I wish to reaffirm Parliament’s unwavering respect for the Judiciary as a coequal arm of government under Article 125, Clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution, which vests the judicial power of Ghana in the Judiciary,” he said.
“The doctrine of the separation of powers requires that all three arms of government… relate to one another with mutual respect and restraint.”
He further directed the leadership of the Appointments Committee to ensure that future vettings are conducted with professionalism and “the highest standards of civility, objectivity and institutional respect.”
Mr. Bagbin stated that Parliament values its longstanding relationship with the Judiciary and remains committed to strengthening it in the service of the Ghanaian people and the protection of constitutional democracy.
“Honourable members, on your behalf, I extend our deepest apologies and assurances of Parliament’s continued respect for the Judiciary and its team members,” he added.