- Speaker Bagbin vows strict action after disorder during Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting
- Tensions flared between Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Ayariga over opening remarks and comments on the nominee
- Bagbin reminds MPs to maintain civility, respect Standing Orders, and uphold Parliament’s dignity
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged to enforce strict discipline in the House following the disorderly scenes that unfolded during the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
Tensions escalated on Monday, November 10, between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during the vetting session. The disagreement began when Mr. Ayariga challenged Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s attempt to make opening remarks, arguing that the issue had already been addressed through a parliamentary motion he had filed.
Earlier, Mr. Afenyo-Markin referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed Chief Justice nominee,” a statement that drew immediate objection from the Majority Leader. Mr. Ayariga maintained that the vetting session was not a courtroom proceeding and demanded that the Minority Leader retract the comment and apologize. In response, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the Majority Leader of stifling the Minority’s right to speak freely. He also criticised the opaque circumstances surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, further provoking objections from Mr. Ayariga.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, November 11, Mr. Bagbin said the behaviour of some members fell short of parliamentary standards and warned that future breaches would be met with strict enforcement.
“I will revisit this matter of decency, discipline, and decorum — and this time, I am coming with the hammer, not the gavel,” he cautioned.
The Speaker reminded MPs that Parliament’s Standing Orders prohibit offensive language and imputing improper motives, urging members to uphold civility and respect at all times.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s respect for the judiciary as a coequal branch under Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution, stressing the importance of mutual respect among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary in line with the separation of powers.
Mr. Bagbin also directed the Appointments Committee leadership to ensure that future vetting sessions are conducted with the utmost civility, objectivity, and institutional respect.
“Parliament values the long-standing cooperation and mutual regard between our institutions. We must continue to strengthen these relationships in the service of the people of Ghana and our constitutional democracy,” he concluded.
