'Marshal take him out of the House, I'll not entertain such disrespect' - Speaker Bagbin sacks Sefwi-Wiawso MP from Parliament over ‘rude’ comment

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Jul - 22 - 2024 , 14:34

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin on Monday directed the Marshall of Parliament to walk out the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie over a comment the Speaker said was "rude" and "disrespectful."

This was after the Speaker had announced that the House had been notified about the nomination of two new Supreme Court judges, who are to be vetted by Parliament.

The Speaker said, "in giving you the information, I have given you an idea of the expectations of the people of Ghana. That is for you to consider as part of the report and the House to decide as to whether we will approve or disapprove those nominations."

The two justices nominated to the Supreme Court by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo are Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, a legal academic and fellow of the Ghana Academy of Sciences, and Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, a justice of the Court of Appeal.

The nomination of the two is following the pending retirement of Justice Nii Ashie Kotey and Justice Mariama Owusu.

According to a communication from the President to the Speaker, the nominees were submitted to the President by Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkornu, on the advice of the Judicial Council and in further consultation with the Council of State.

The Speaker has since referred the nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House.

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Announcing the nominations in Parliament on Monday [July 22, 2024], the Speaker urged the House to look into the issues of the full complement of the Supreme Court when the Appointments Committee presents its report on the nominees to the plenary for consideration.

“Please you have to apply the new Standing Orders in this matter. In giving you the information, I have given you an idea of the expectations of the people of Ghana. That is for you to consider as part of the report and the House to decide as to whether we will approve or disapprove those nominations."

"His Excellency clearly stated that he is constitutionally injuncted to do what he has done, and so it is now for you to also look at...," Mr Bagbin said.

What happened?

The Speaker had just ruled that the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Ellembelle, Emmannuel Armah Kofi Buah was out of order when he made a contribution and then he overheard Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso made a comment while on his seat. And even though Dr Kwaku Afriyie did not speak into the microphone, the Speaker overheard him.

The Speaker then said he was not going to repeat what the member said since he [Speaker] "eavesdropped" and heard it.

"I eavesdropped and a senior member is saying a few things but since he is not saying it into the mic, I won't be the one saying it", the Speaker said.

But when the Speaker granted Dr Kwaku Afriyie the opportunity to speak, Dr Kwaku Afriyie said it does not lie with the Speaker to make such prejudicial comments.

“Mr Speaker, with all due respect to your chair, this preliminary remarks you are making are prejudicial and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it does not lie in your [Speaker] mouth to remind us of the things that you said. Thank you,” Dr Afriyie said.

In anger, the Speaker ordered the Marshal to take the MP out the Chamber, describing the MP’s comment as "rude" and "disrespectful."

Mr Bagbin said, “this is completely rude remarks and I can send you out of the house now. It lies in my authority to do so. You represent the good people of Sefwi-Wiaswo, I [Bagbin] represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the House. Marshal take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect, it lies in my mouth.”

Following that, the Marshal of Parliament walked Dr Kwaku Afriyie, at a time Dr Afriyie was already packing papers and other stuff he had on his desk in readiness to leave the Chamber.

Dr Afriyie before leaving the Chamber, bowed to the chair and left with the Marshal following him.

Annoh Dompreh

The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh was subsequently given the floor by the Speaker and he apologised on behalf of the MP for Sefwi Wiaswo.

“Mr Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided this House, and how we have navigated as a House to this point. And we've had moments laced with tension, some tense moments in this House, but in all that, you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us in leadership to help you guide the House. What just happened a moment ago was unfortunate.”

“So, we want to, for and on behalf of the entire caucus and my colleague, we want to render an unqualified apology to you and your office, and we hope that this draw the curtains, and lets bring matters to a close. Infact, we are very sorry, and we apologize sincerely for what happened. So I say this on behalf of the member, and also on behalf of the entire caucus, we are sorry.”

'Marshall take him out of the House, I'll not entertain such disrespect' - Speaker Bagbin sacks Sefwi-Wiawso MP from Parliament over ‘rude’ comment - Graphic Online https://t.co/BeJ2WRlvZa pic.twitter.com/6GE22tvIrV
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