Unsavoury remarks against Klottey Korle MP: Speaker gives culprit one week to own up

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has given the Member of Parliament responsible for making unsavoury remarks against the late former President, Jerry John Rawlings, and his daughter, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, one week to own up. 

The ultimatum came after the Speaker directed a formal investigations into the matter following the receipt of a petition from the Volta Diaspora Caucus on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 to investigate the matter.

“I advise the member responsible to, within the week, show honesty and plead than wait for the outcome of investigations,” Mr Bagbin said. 

Remarks

During discussions on the 60th anniversary of the death of Joseph Boakye Danquah (JB Danquah) on the floor of the House on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings stood up to seek permission to contribute.

In a disturbing moment, a voice from the Minority side remarked , referring to her as the "daughter of a murderer" and ordering her to sit down.

Another unknown MP, also believed to be on the Minority side, followed up, claiming, "But there is evidence that her father killed people."

The comments have been widely condemned by some Ghanaians as “disgusting” and “unworthy”, with many arguing that they were used as a jab or insult towards the Klottey Korle lawmaker merely to score cheap political points.

Petitions

Following the public condemnation, the  Anlo Dukor Council petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to identify the MP who allegedly made the disparaging remark against Dr Agyeman-Rawlings during the ministerial approval session on February 4, 2025.

The statement noted that earlier speculation pointed to the MP for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and the MP for Bosome Freho, Nana Kwame Asafo-Adjei.

However, both lawmakers denied making such a remark.

The J.J. Rawlings Foundation also petitioned Parliament to investigate the matter.

In a letter dated February 4, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, the foundation described the comments made during proceedings on February 4 as offensive and false.

The petition, signed by the Executive Director of the foundation, Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings, called for a parliamentary inquiry and a retraction.

The Foundation argued that the remarks unfairly diminished the legacy of J.J Rawlings and sought to discredit Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ work as a three-term MP for Klottey Korle.

It urged Parliament to uphold the dignity of past leaders and ensure that debates in the House remained respectful.