The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has assured that neither his office nor Parliament will shield any member of Parliament (MP) from being investigated by law enforcement agencies for their actions and inactions.
He said MPs enjoyed some privileges but those privileges were not absolute.
“But this is not to shield any member from the full impact of the rule of law, and I want it to be made clear once more that these privileges are not absolute. They must be exercised responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the land,” he said.
Full cooperation
In a formal communication to the House, Mr Bagbin assured the security agencies of Parliament's full cooperation in conducting investigations concerning the MP for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, and all other pending investigations involving members of Parliament.
“I want once again to take the opportunity of this formal communication to remind all of you that our actions and inactions carry immense power, effect, and impact on Ghanaians and the world at large.
“I have therefore instructed the Office of the Clerk and the Legal Services Office to provide all the needed support to the investigation by the Ghana Police Service within the framework of the 1992 Constitution, the laws of this country, and the Standing Orders of the House,” he said.
The Speaker's communication followed the recent allegation that the MP for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, incited some young people during an encounter between residents and a military team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat in Hwidiem on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Attack on NAIMO officials
The Speaker said the report of the attack on the NAIMOS team was most worrying.
He also said the most worrying was that the attack was allegedly incited by a member of the House, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, who further roped in a senior member of the House, Collins Dauda.
Saying that he was yet to be fully briefed on the matter, Mr Bagbin condemned in no uncertain terms the attack on a team of security officers who were assigned to help deal with the menace of galamsey, which has to be dealt with robustly. “Nobody has denied the attack, and we must all condemn that attack,” he said, pointing out that the people of Ghana looked to the House as “a beacon of hope”.
“And it is our collective duty to set a standard that reflects the values of our great nation.
Submission to CID
Mr Bagbin told the House that he had been made to understand that the MP had voluntarily submitted himself to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police to assist in the investigation, as many members had done in other cases under investigation.
He said there were so many MPs that were under investigation, and his office had never shielded any, saying that “many have volunteered themselves without coming through my office”.
“And so please let it not be said anywhere that members of Parliament are being shielded from the rule of law, not at all.
Saying that he had copies and a list of the members involved in most cases, he commended Mr Addo for his action to submit himself to the police.
“I want to urge the Ghana police service to ensure that at all material times the privileges and immunities of members, especially when the House is in session, are adhered to.
“It is for good reason that even if you are in the position to deal with a law enforcement officer, you cannot do that because that law enforcement officer represents the law and the country, and if you attempt to resist or even to lay hands on that officer you have dealt with ruthlessly,” he said.
He reminded law enforcement agencies that they had privileges and immunities, and so were MPs too.
Stay partisan approach
Contributing, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said political actors must stop looking at the political convenience and the gains in the fight against illegal mining.
Having served as a former Chairman of the Ghana Water Company, he said he saw how the country lost huge money expended in treating polluted water due to galamsey, which was getting worse.
“Mr Speaker, can we not, as political leaders, for once, agree to stay the partisan approach on this matter and deal with it and let our citizens know that this is the matter that affects that country and our own livelihood,” he said.
We’re not above the law
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said as members of Parliament, legislators must not consider themselves above the law and must be ready to be held accountable for their actions and inactions.
“I believe we as MPs will not, in any way, deliberately go out of our way to temper the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
He, therefore, urged colleague MPs that anytime they committed an offence, they would own up and be ready to defend themselves and establish their innocence.
