The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the suspension of three of its Members of Parliament (MPs) by Speaker of Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, describing the decision as selective justice, a dangerous precedent and an attack on Ghana’s democracy.
Accordingly, the Minority has demanded an immediate reversal of the suspension, warning that failure to address the situation will set a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive power within the Speaker’s office.
Speaker Bagbin suspended Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh; MP for Gushegu, Mr. Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli; and Second Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
He also suspended one member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for North Dayi and Majority Chief Whip, Mr. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor following a confrontation during ministerial vetting between members of the minority and the majority on the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
The incident, according to the minority caucus led by Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was a result of frustration over procedural irregularities and the Majority NDC’s disregard for due process.
In statement issued on Friday, the Minority described Mr. Bagbin’s actions as a blatant case of “selective justice” and a meddling beyond his parliamentary authority.
Call for suspension reversal
The suspension, the minority argued, was an unfair punishment that violated the principles of due process and the rights of their three MPs to a fair hearing.
The caucus also rejected the idea that Parliament should be a place of punishment for MPs standing firm on issues of procedural fairness and accountability.
“We categorically reject the suspension of these three MPs and demand an immediate reversal of this politically charged decision,” the statement reiterated.
Parliament, the Minority argued, is meant to be a space for robust debate, even if heated, and that lawmakers have a duty to ensure due process is followed.
“The Speaker’s role is to facilitate dialogue and order, not to punish lawmakers for standing their ground in the face of procedural unfairness,” the Minority asserted.
According to the Minority, the Speaker ignored Standing Orders 130 (a) and (b), which outline procedures for disciplinary actions, and failed to provide the MPs with an opportunity to be heard as required under Article 19 (1) of Ghana’s Constitution.
“By unilaterally suspending these MPs, the Speaker has set a dangerous precedent where perceived disobedience can be met with extreme punishment without following internal disciplinary mechanisms,” the Minority reiterated, emphasising the Speaker’s action was politically motivated.
The Minority contended that the disruption during the vetting process, which led to minor property damage, was not a premeditated action but a reflection of the growing frustrations within Parliament due to the Majority’s attempts to push through decisions without adequate consultation or consensus-building.
Selective justice
The Minority further pointed to inconsistencies in Speaker Bagbin’s handling of parliamentary disruptions.
The Caucus cited the chaotic Speakership election in 2021, the brawl over the Electronic Levy (E-Levy), and the July 30, 2024, public hearing on the nomination of two Supreme Court judges, all instances where tensions flared, but no MPs were suspended.
“The Speaker adopted a reconciliatory approach in all these cases. Why then does he choose, at this moment, to impose harsh and selective punishment? This inconsistency undermines his credibility as a neutral arbiter and exposes a worrying bias,” Minority quizzed, further questioning the Speaker’s credibility as a neutral mediator in Parliament.
The Speaker’s role, the Minority argued, is to facilitate dialogue and ensure order, not to suppress voices that challenge perceived procedural wrongs.
“Parliament must remain a bastion of democracy, not an institution of oppression,” the Minority Caucus pointed out, emphasising that democracy thrives on fairness and justice and that the actions of the Speaker undermined the very principles upon which the legislature is founded.
Bernard Ahiafor accused
The Minority caucus has also accused the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor of failing to maintain impartiality, contributing to the tensions that ultimately resulted in the altercation.
