Recommit to values of dialogue, accountability - Speaker urges MPs
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has advised members of Parliament to recommit themselves to the values of dialogue, accountability and the rule of law.
He said any conduct that unilaterally overrides the House’s rules undermines authority or obstructs due process and endangers the legitimacy of Parliament.
Aside from that, he said, it could also dent the enviable reputation the international community held of Ghana’s Parliament and affect their chances of securing international appointments.
“They endanger not only the legitimacy of our work but also undermine the authority, the relevance and value of Parliament, and, more importantly, the very survival of our democracy,” he said.
Regrettable development
The Speaker condemned members, especially the conduct put up by the New Patriotic Party MP for Effiduase Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, last Tuesday, for seeking to show blatant disregard for the rules of the House by flagrant disrespect of the Speakership in the presence of the Mace.
He told the House that the Mace was the authority of the House and when it was upright, “you dare not disobey it”.
He described the action of the MPs as a regrettable development that occurred in the Chamber during a sitting presided over by a First Deputy Speaker.
“I think in the interest of all of us, particularly our rules, the Order of the house, discipline and mutual respect, we must refrain from any unparliamentary conduct. That could tarnish the image of Parliament,” he stated.
“For this is not a matter to be referred to any committee. It is a matter that I have discussed with leadership, and we have agreed that it should be resolved, and we will resolve it here openly for all of us to be guided so that in future, we do not fall foul of these rules,” he said.
Disregard for Speakership
Mr Bagbin said the First Deputy Speaker, acting within the scope of the rules and the proceduces of the House, cautioned Dr Afriyie that he could not proceed with the statement.
When the member persisted in attempting to read the statement, the First Deputy Speaker directed that he desist from doing so, but Dr Afriyie refused to comply.
As a result, he said the First Deputy Speaker invoked the powers available to the chair and directed the Marshal to escort the member from the chair.
“I was observing all that was happening on the screen in my office and I saw all the body language of those who were part and parcel of what took place,” he said.
Mr Bagbin described how several members from the Minority side were seen forming a physical barrier around Dr Afriyie, thereby obstructing the enforcement of the Speaker's directive.
“This was followed by scenes of heated confrontation, including the use of unprintable language on the chair as the First Deputy Speaker exited the Chamber after the House had adjourned.
Unadmitted statement
He said under the rules and the practice of the House, statements intended to be made on the floor were submitted in advance and previewed by the Speaker, usually in a preceding engagement with the leadership of both sides and “we agree as to how they should be taken”.
That process, he said, ensured that statements met the threshold set under Standing Orders of the House the
“In this case, no such advanced submission or preview had been undertaken of the statement Dr Afriyie intended to make yesterday.
“Consequently, the Speaker had not admitted the statement in accordance with the established rules of procedure.
Statement not accepted
Clarifying the process for admitting statements in accordance with the standing Orders and established practice of the House, the Speaker said Dr Afriyie’s statement was not accepted or reviewed by the Speaker.
He said the statement was also not listed on the notice of the Order paper, with copies circulated to all members through the Clerk.
He said no prior notice was given and no text was submitted prior to the sitting, except that leaders gave him information that they had discussed the matter.
