Sanction indiscipline among MPs - PNAfrica urges Speaker
The Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has reiterated its call on the Speaker of Parliament to take decisive action against the growing indiscipline and increasing incidents of chaos involving Members of Parliament (MPs).
It said the call on the Speaker to "crack the whip" and restore discipline is to protect Parliament's image and uphold the trust and respect of the citizens it serves.
A statement signed and issued by the Communications Officer of the PNAfrica, Clement Akoloh, said in a formal communication to the House last Tuesday ( November 11, 2025), the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, vowed to restore order and discipline in Parliament, emphasising that the proceedings of the House must always reflect the dignity and integrity befitting such a key organ of state.
"While we welcome the Speaker's renewed commitment, PNAfrica finds it regrettable that once again, the Rt. Hon. Speaker has had to issue an apology on behalf of Members of Parliament for their misconduct—this time following the chaotic scenes that marred the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie," the statement said.
"This latest episode is particularly disheartening because PNAfrica has, on several occasions, called on the Speaker and the institution of Parliament to take firm, lasting action to forestall such occurrences—yet to no avail," it said.
Similar incident
The PNAfrica recalled the events of January 30 and 31, 2025, during the vetting of some ministers of state by the Appointments Committee of Parliament that turned chaotic.
The incident, the statement said, drew widespread public condemnation after some MPs engaged in unruly behaviour that disrupted proceedings and brought the image of Parliament into disrepute.
It said that following that incident, the Speaker constituted an Ad Hoc Committee on February 3, 2025, to investigate the misconduct, identify the perpetrators and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures—including surcharging those responsible for damages to public property.
However, nine months on, no concrete action has been taken against the MPs involved in that disgraceful incident.
"PNAfrica, in pursuit of transparency, submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to Parliament to ascertain progress on the Speaker's directives.
"The response received was disappointing—it indicated that no tangible measures had been implemented to hold the errant MPs accountable or to prevent future misconduct," the statement said.
It said that PNAfrica subsequently filed a request for Internal Review on July 28, 2025, seeking further clarification and accountability.
Unfortunately, Parliament has failed to respond, even after the 15-working-day statutory period required for such reviews.
Sanctions
The PNAfrica said it was of the view that the recurrence of MPs’ misconduct—especially during sittings of the Appointments Committee—demands decisive and exemplary sanctions, not mere apologies or assurances of improved behaviour.
It said the continued disregard for decorum was a direct affront to the integrity and dignity of Parliament, an institution long celebrated as a beacon of parliamentary democracy in Africa.
"It is, therefore, untenable for this issue to be treated with kid gloves any further," the statement said.
