A senior Ghanaian lawmaker has criticized the Speaker of Parliament's recent decision to suspend four MPs, calling it a threat to democracy.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, spoke out against Speaker Alban Bagbin's actions following chaos at ministerial vetting sessions. In a Net2 TV interview on February 3, 2025, he warned the suspensions could set a harmful example.
"We are a nation of laws, not of men," said Oppong Nkrumah. "The decision to suspend the MPs should not be accepted. It opens the door for potential abuse of power. Such a decision could be used to suspend lawmakers over trivial matters, potentially to favor a particular government or to settle personal vendettas within the House."
The former Works and Housing Minister noted that proper procedure requires the Speaker to form a Privileges Committee. This committee should investigate misconduct and decide on sanctions. Instead, Bagbin created an ad hoc committee without consulting party leaders.
"The Speaker has not formed a Privileges Committee. He has created an ad hoc committee and appointed members at his discretion," Oppong Nkrumah said. "We have guidelines that state the leaders from both caucuses must be consulted."
Bagbin also ordered the suspended MPs to pay for equipment damaged during the parliamentary brawl. Oppong Nkrumah argued this exceeded the Speaker's authority, stating that only a committee has the power to issue such penalties.
"The law does not grant him the authority to do this. It is within the power of the committee, not the Speaker, to prescribe sanctions," he said.
The Minority Caucus has urged Bagbin to reverse the suspensions, highlighting growing tensions in Ghana's parliament over procedural matters.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, spoke out against Speaker Alban Bagbin's actions following chaos at ministerial vetting sessions. In a Net2 TV interview on February 3, 2025, he warned the suspensions could set a harmful example.
"We are a nation of laws, not of men," said Oppong Nkrumah. "The decision to suspend the MPs should not be accepted. It opens the door for potential abuse of power. Such a decision could be used to suspend lawmakers over trivial matters, potentially to favor a particular government or to settle personal vendettas within the House."
The former Works and Housing Minister noted that proper procedure requires the Speaker to form a Privileges Committee. This committee should investigate misconduct and decide on sanctions. Instead, Bagbin created an ad hoc committee without consulting party leaders.
"The Speaker has not formed a Privileges Committee. He has created an ad hoc committee and appointed members at his discretion," Oppong Nkrumah said. "We have guidelines that state the leaders from both caucuses must be consulted."
Bagbin also ordered the suspended MPs to pay for equipment damaged during the parliamentary brawl. Oppong Nkrumah argued this exceeded the Speaker's authority, stating that only a committee has the power to issue such penalties.
"The law does not grant him the authority to do this. It is within the power of the committee, not the Speaker, to prescribe sanctions," he said.
The Minority Caucus has urged Bagbin to reverse the suspensions, highlighting growing tensions in Ghana's parliament over procedural matters.
