Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has strongly condemned the unsavoury comments made by a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament against Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, he issued a one-week ultimatum to the MP responsible, describing the comments as unjustifiable and regrettable.
“It is regrettable that, during parliamentary proceedings on February 4 this year, an honourable member of this House was subjected to an unwarranted, unjustified, and deeply offensive remark.
“Such conduct is dishonourable, and I strongly condemn it as behaviour unbefitting of a Member of Parliament. The law on this is very clear. Article 115 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees freedom of speech, debate, and proceedings in Parliament, ensuring that such discussions cannot be impeached or questioned in any court outside of Parliament,” he stated.
The Speaker also announced that formal investigations would be launched to identify the MP responsible.
“Article 116 of the 1992 Constitution provides that while Members of Parliament enjoy immunity from civil or criminal proceedings for statements made in Parliament, they remain accountable within Parliament through the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges when those statements are found to be prima facie defamatory, in contempt of Parliament, or in breach of parliamentary privilege.
“Such a member, if found guilty, could face reprimand or, by resolution, suspension from the service of Parliament for a period not exceeding nine months or even expulsion from Parliament altogether. Let me be clear, Parliament is a place for constructive debate guided by the principles of mutual respect and integrity,” he added.
Background to the incident
During a parliamentary session on February 4, 2025, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings attempted to contribute to discussions on the 60th anniversary of the death of Joseph Boakye Danquah.
However, Speaker Alban Bagbin granted the floor to the Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin.
Amidst this, a voice from the Majority side referred to her as the “daughter of a murderer,” while another MP alleged that there was evidence suggesting that her father, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, had been involved in murders.
JKB/MA
Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below:
