TIG Post

Tag: Alban Bagbin

  • I am the voice of every Ghanaian, not just your voters – Bagbin to Sefwi-Wiawso MP

    I am the voice of every Ghanaian, not just your voters – Bagbin to Sefwi-Wiawso MP

    On Monday, July 22, 2024, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin criticized Kwaku Afriyie, the MP for Sefwi Wiawso, for challenging his authority.

    During his announcement of the president’s nominations for two new Supreme Court justices, Bagbin suggested that the House should debate legislation to limit the number of judges on the court.

    Afriyie, representing his constituency, objected to Bagbin’s remarks, asserting his right to question the Speaker’s position.

    “Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to your chair, this preliminary comment you are making is prejudicial, and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you have said, thank you,” he remarked.

    The MP’s comment, however, was not well received by the Speaker, who considered it rude.

    In response, Speaker Bagbin emphasized his superior role and subsequently ordered the MP’s immediate removal from the chamber.

    “This is a completely rude remark, 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-Wiawso; I represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect,” he ordered.

    Following the Speaker’s order, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh issued an apology to Mr. Bagbin on behalf of his colleague and the caucus.

    “Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided us with and how you have navigated us to this point. We have had moments of tension; we have had some tense moments in the House, and through all that, you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us as leaders to help you right now. What happened a moment ago was unfortunate,” he told the Speaker.

    However, in an interview on Monday evening, Mr. Kwaku Afriyie maintained that his objection was justified and rejected the apology issued on his behalf.

    “He (Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh) does not have my permission to apologize to the Speaker. And this one you can put on record: I haven’t done anything wrong; why should I apologize?

    “Whatever happens, I will advise myself. I will not be prejudicial in saying some things. That will be very unfortunate on my part, so you let the issue unfold, and then we shall see. So far, I haven’t done anything wrong; I haven’t insulted the Speaker; I haven’t disrespected him; where’s the disrespect?” he stated in an interview on Citi FM.

    “Actually, it was with a lot of humility that I acted, and that was why I told the Marshal to let me bow to the chair. I was raised in the palace. That is all. I have not done anything wrong to apologize for,” he added.

  • Bagbin’s sacking order humiliated my constituents and I – Sefwi Wiawso MP

    The Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has expressed that the actions of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin towards him on the floor of Parliament on Monday, July 22, 2024, were deeply humiliating to both him and his constituents.

    He asserted that Alban Bagbin’s manner of addressing him exhibited gross disrespect towards him and his constituents.

    Dr. Afriyie, who insists he was justified in his objection to the Speaker’s remarks, explained that while he is willing to endure the embarrassment, he stands firm in his belief that Alban Bagbin should not have made the comments he did during the announcement of President Akufo-Addo’s nomination of new Supreme Court justices.

    In an interview with Joy News, Dr. Afriyie stated that he will not pursue further actions against Alban Bagbin, as he doubts such efforts would yield any significant results.

    “I want to speak to the substance of the issue and not how I was treated. That is a small amount of humiliation that I’m willing to suffer. I feel humiliated and my people too were humiliated. That’s why I said that I was brought up in a palace and referenced my constituency, and he said he represented Ghana.

    “I represent the people of Sefwi Wiawso, so if you humiliate their representative from speaking his opinion on a matter of procedure and process, then I will stand by it,” he said.

    Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, ordered the removal of Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, after he allegedly made contemptuous remarks in Parliament.

    The incident occurred following the Speaker’s announcement of new Supreme Court judge nominations.

    Although the specifics of Afriyie’s comments were not picked up by the microphone, Speaker Bagbin evidently found them disrespectful and subsequently instructed the MP to leave the chamber, according to the report.

    “I will not entertain such disrespect. Marshal, please take him out,” the Speaker ordered.

  • Sewfi Wiawso MP clashes with Speaker in parliament

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has directed the removal of Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, due to his contemptuous remarks in the parliamentary chamber.

    The incident took place after the Speaker announced new Supreme Court judge nominations.

    Although the specifics of Afriyie’s comments were not captured by the microphone, Speaker Bagbin found them disrespectful and promptly ordered the MP to leave the chamber.

    “I will not entertain such disrespect. Marshal, please take him out,” the Speaker commanded.

    Speaker Bagbin has previously cautioned MPs against making passing and derogatory comments during sessions, a behavior that has been prevalent.

    However, this marks the first time the Speaker has enforced such a measure.

  • “That’s my madam, my treasure”- Alban Bagbin extols his wife

    “That’s my madam, my treasure”- Alban Bagbin extols his wife

    During the Speech and Prize-Giving Day at North Hills International School in North Legon, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin expressed heartfelt admiration for his wife.

    He hailed her as his pillar of support and described her as his cherished companion who continuously educates and inspires him.

    This public declaration echoes his previous praise during the 2023 event, where Linda Bagbin’s presence drew considerable attention for her youthful appearance.

    “She keeps me going. That’s my madam, my treasure. She actually is my teacher and she schools me everyday. It’s good to enhance learning not only in the school but also in the family,” Alban Bagbin stated when he mounted the stage to speak.

    Watch video below:

  • I owe part of my emergence as Minority leader to the media – Speaker Bagbin

    I owe part of my emergence as Minority leader to the media – Speaker Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed deep appreciation for Ghana’s media during an event in Kumasi on Sunday, June 29, 2024.

    He credited the media for recognizing his leadership potential and portraying him as a trustworthy figure that Ghanaians can depend on.

    Bagbin emphasized that since assuming the role of minority leader in 2020, the media has been instrumental in providing him with the necessary support for his success.

    “I have reached this far in politics because of my partnership with the media. Whether we describe that relationship in flowery terms or not, it is a truism that I managed to climb this high because I was identified by the media in the early part of my journey in parliament as one of the people who could be relied on, who could be trusted.

    “And that is what lifted me when my party lost the elections in 2000 to become the minority leader of parliament. And during that period, the media was solidly behind me.

    Some gave very positive accounts of me; others gave very negative accounts of me, and that brought public focus on the character called Bagbin,” he said.

    He added, “Definitely, that is what politics is about, how you can combine positivity with negativity to achieve results. It’s part of the diversity of creation.”

    The Speaker of Parliament also indicated that the house is committed to the protection and growth of the media in Ghana.

    “Parliament is committed to moving with you to make a change in the political culture of our beloved country, Ghana. We cannot succeed as a country without the media.”

  • We’ve adjusted our tactics to manage a future hung parliament better – Bagbin

    We’ve adjusted our tactics to manage a future hung parliament better – Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has stated that valuable lessons have been learned to better manage a hung parliament should it occur again.

    Presently, the Governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) each hold 137 seats in the House, with an independent lawmaker aligning with the NPP.

    Speaker Bagbin emphasized that rules designed for a majoritarian system are not applicable in a hung parliament.

    He made these remarks during the launch of the Democracy Cup, an initiative celebrating three decades of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

    He said “I am proud to say that I am happy to be part of this democratic process of building the parliament of Ghana from 1993 which has no doubt contributed significantly to enable me to assume the onerous responsibility as speaker of the first-even hung parliament in Ghana.

    “You can’t compare this parliament to the others, this is a completely new game, even if it happens we have now repositioned ourselves to be able to handle it better. We are applying rules that were for a majoritarian system, we definitely have to vote and the majority will carry the day, so those rules were for that.

    “Now you are running a parliament where there is no majority so you can’t apply those rules again. You had a parliament that was seen as just part of the public service or government agencies, you have been told that these our illustrious presidents all happened to have passed through my hands.

    “There is no way that anybody can push me aside and make parliament an agent of government, it won’t happen when I am alive.”

    The Speaker also used the occasion to urge the Electoral Commission to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

  • Current state of Ghana offers no hope – Alban Bagbin

    Current state of Ghana offers no hope – Alban Bagbin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for urgent and collaborative efforts in fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to members of the House.

    In his opening address following Parliament’s return from break on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the Speaker expressed concern over recent events in the country, particularly regarding security issues during the limited voter registration exercise.

    “The signs and signals of happenings in the country do not assure hope. I shudder when I am told that people going to register carry knives and guns, just to go and write names.

    “What about when we are going to vote, and at the end of it all, the results are announced, and someone else has carried the day and not the other? I shudder to picture what will happen,” he said.

    The Speaker also highlighted the dire state of the youth in the country, emphasizing the urgent need to address issues such as employment to prevent further deterioration.

    “Apart from that, the joblessness, the homelessness, and the hopelessness of the youth cannot be taken lightly. We must act together and now to prevent a journey to calamity or a journey of no return,” he stated.

    He announced that he would lead the legislature in taking steps to engage stakeholders to ensure a free and fair presidential and parliamentary election on December 7, 2024.

    This initiative aims to prevent any breaches of peace and stability that could arise from a disputed election.

    Alban Bagbin revealed that the parliamentary team, along with prominent clergy members, will engage with the Electoral Commission (EC), the Police, the National Security Council, presidential candidates, party executives, and others, all with the goal of securing a peaceful election.

  • 2024 elections: We don’t want to see the military during the election – Speaker

    2024 elections: We don’t want to see the military during the election – Speaker

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has stressed the necessity of keeping the military away from polling stations during the upcoming December 7 general elections.

    He disclosed plans to engage with the President, political party flagbearers, security services, and other stakeholders to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.

    In his opening remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, June 11, Bagbin asserted that the military should only be present at polling or voting centres if they are specifically called upon to manage a situation.

    “We don’t want to see [the] military during the election.

    When there is a need to call them, they will be called, but they should not be at polling or voting centres.

    “Honourable members, the clergy and notable civil society leaders will be actively involved.

    The signs and signals of happiness in the country are not those of assurance and hope.”

  • Martin Amidu refuses to retract ‘lies’ about Bagbin, dares him to sue him

    Martin Amidu refuses to retract ‘lies’ about Bagbin, dares him to sue him

    Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has defied Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s demand for an apology regarding comments about a trip allegedly made by the Speaker.

    Amidu has stated he will not apologize for his remarks, despite Bagbin’s insistence that he do so within seven days.

    Amidu did, however, acknowledge an error in his article and offered an apology to his readers for mistakenly typing “Dubai in 2021” instead of “Dubai in 2022” in a question within paragraph 18 of his article dated May 26, 2024, and published on May 27, 2024.

    On May 28, Speaker Bagbin refuted allegations made by Amidu that he had met with President Akufo-Addo in Dubai in 2021 before the rejection of the 2022 budget.

    A statement from the Speaker’s Communication Unit dismissed these claims as baseless and an attempt to damage Bagbin’s reputation.

    The statement, signed by Peter Bamfo, emphasized Bagbin’s long-standing record of distinguished and honest public service, reaffirming his commitment to prioritizing Ghana’s interests.

    “The Rt Hon Speaker will not be deterred from carrying out his public service duties, guiding and providing leadership for Parliament even in the face of insinuations, unprovoked attacks and unfounded allegations like Mr Amidu’s,”the statement added.

    The clarification came after Mr. Amidu made an allegation in a write-up criticizing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), its 2024 flagbearer, and the national chairman.

    Speaker Bagbin demanded that Mr. Amidu retract what he termed as false and malicious statements within seven days, warning of potential further action.

    However, Martin Amidu seems undeterred by the Speaker’s demands.

    In a fresh article dated May 29, the former Special Prosecutor said “I have done nothing for which I need to withdraw, retract, and apologise for within seven days to Mr Bagbin who is dissipating the public purse needlessly in Dubai for health challenges which are treatable or manageable in Ghana.”

    He added that “if you [Alban Bagbin] think my article defames you in anyway, defend your integrity and honour by issuing a writ of summons and a statement of claim against me in a court of law so that I can prove to the whole world that the things I wrote against the NDC in which you were mentioned as its self-confessed corrupt Speaker are either true, justifiable, and constitute fair comments or questions on public matters on the conduct of a public officer, the Speaker, in the public interest.”

  • If we cannot follow this American democracy, let’s stop it – Pentecost Chair tells Bawumia, Bagbin and others

    If we cannot follow this American democracy, let’s stop it – Pentecost Chair tells Bawumia, Bagbin and others

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and several members of Ghana’s parliament likely had much to ponder after an engagement with Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost.

    In a viral video of the meeting, Apostle Nyamekye urged Ghanaians to embrace selflessness.

    “Your Excellency, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana; convenor of this meeting, the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin; Your Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana; for the sake of time, please permit me to address the rest of us as ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

    “… all of us who desire to have a good name, you need to serve humanity. Now, the suggestion that I’m going to offer is this: live and work for the good of people,” the pastor said.

    Addressing the politicians directly, Nyamekye criticized the monetization of democracy in Ghana, warning it could lead to criminals leading the country.

    “Maybe I should turn here and look at the faces of my parliamentarians. You are making democracy too expensive. The monetisation of what we call democracy is dangerous. Soon we are not going to have good leaders because you will need people who have cash, and it doesn’t matter where they got the cash from.

    “This thing is dangerous. If we think that we cannot follow this American democracy, let us stop it. Let us design something that would help this nation. It is dangerous, and I’m even afraid of the future; I’m afraid of the future,” he fumed.

    He also condemned politicians for deceiving Ghanaians with trivial gifts like cutlasses and lanterns instead of implementing measures to improve their lives.

    “How can you deceive people just by buying a cutlass for them, and you pride yourself on it? What a shame. I pray that God will save this land. God will save this land because many of us are poor, and instead of investing in them, you deceive them with lanterns and cutlasses. May God have mercy on us,” he said.

    Throughout the address, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin listened quietly. The event elicited mixed reactions, with some attendees clapping and others covering their mouths in disbelief.

    Watch video below from 19:00:

  • Why should I apologize for speaking the truth? – Martin Amidu replies Speaker

    Why should I apologize for speaking the truth? – Martin Amidu replies Speaker

    A former Special Prosecutor, Martin A. B. K. Amidu, has firmly rejected a demand from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament to retract his recent statements and issue an unreserved apology within seven days.

    This situation emerged after a statement released on May 28, 2024, by the Speaker’s Communications Unit, signed by Peter Bamfo, requested an apology from Martin Amidu.

    In his response, Amidu argued that the statement addressed to the media does not qualify as a rejoinder to his publication dated May 26, 2024.

    He insisted that he stands by his assertions and has no plans to retract or apologize for his statements.

    Mr Amidu criticized Speaker Alban Bagbin for allegedly misusing public funds by seeking medical treatment in Dubai for conditions he believes could be managed within Ghana.

    “I have read a statement from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament with reference number OP/SPK/K1/33 dated 28 May 2024 signed by one Peter Bamfo (Head-Speaker’s Communications Unit) “To All Media Houses” in which the “Speaker requests Mr. Amidu to do the honorable thing and withdraw his statement and apologize unreservedly to the Speaker of Parliament…within seven days from the date of the release of this rejoinder.

    “First and foremost, the statement addressed to all media houses cannot be termed a rejoinder to my publication dated 26 May 2024. Secondly, I have done nothing for which I need to withdraw, retract, and apologize for within seven days to Mr. Bagbin who is dissipating the public purse needlessly in Dubai for health challenges which are treatable or manageable in Ghana,” he said.

    Mr Amidu also raised concerns about an alleged meeting between Speaker Bagbin and President Akufo-Addo in Dubai, which he claimed influenced parliamentary proceedings regarding the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government.

  • Retract and apologize for false claims made against me – Speaker Bagbin to Martin Amidu

    Retract and apologize for false claims made against me – Speaker Bagbin to Martin Amidu

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has vehemently refuted claims made by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu regarding a clandestine meeting with President Akufo-Addo in Dubai in 2021 prior to the 2022 budget rejection.

    Bagbin’s office issued a statement denying any such meeting, clarifying that the Speaker has not engaged with the President outside of Ghana, branding the allegations as false, baseless, and lacking foundation.

    The statement urged the public to disregard these claims, labeling them as part of an orchestrated effort to smear the Speaker’s reputation.

    Bagbin’s office demanded a retraction and apology from Amidu, warning of further actions if not complied with.

    It emphasized that the Speaker remains committed to his parliamentary duties despite unwarranted attacks like Amidu’s, stressing the importance of respecting parliamentary decisions as expressions of citizens’ voices through their elected representatives.

    See statement below:

  • Retract baseless claims, apologise – Bagbin goes after Amidu over secret meeting with president

    Retract baseless claims, apologise – Bagbin goes after Amidu over secret meeting with president

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has firmly denied accusations made by former special prosecutor Martin Amidu, who claimed that the Speaker had a secret meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in Dubai in 2021, before the rejection of the 2022 budget.

    In a statement, the Office of the Speaker demanded that Mr. Amidu retract his allegations and issue an apology. The statement also warned that if Mr. Amidu fails to comply, the Speaker will take all necessary legal actions to defend his reputation.

    “The said publication is false, baseless and unfounded, and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.”

    “The Rt. Hon, Speaker requests Mr. Amidu to do the honourable thing and withdraw his statements and apologise unreservedly to the Speaker of Parliament and indeed the Parliament of Ghana, with the same prominence as he made the false and malicious statements, within seven days from the date of the release of this rejoinder.

    The failure of Mr Amidu to adhere to this request would leave the Rt. Hon. Speaker to no other option than to take all steps necessary within his rights to vindicate his name.”

    The Office added that these unfounded allegations are part of a deliberate and calculated effort by certain individuals to damage the Speaker of Parliament’s reputation. However, it assured that these attempts would not be successful.

    The statement also emphasized Mr. Bagbin’s long-standing record of distinguished and honest public service to Ghana, highlighting his unwavering commitment to prioritizing the interests of the Ghanaian people.

    “The Rt Hon Speaker will not be deterred from carrying out his public service duties, guiding and providing leadership for Parliament even in the face of insinuations, unprovoked attacks and unfounded allegations like Mr. Amidu’s.”

    “Mr. Martin Amidu must appreciate that the decisions taken on the floor of parliament is an extension of the voices of the citizens by the legislators who represent them distinctively,” the statement added.

    The Office of the Speaker emphasized that the Speaker of Parliament, unlike the Deputy Speakers, does not vote in Parliament and, therefore, does not partake in its decision-making processes.

    This is explicitly outlined in the 1992 Constitution and has been confirmed by rulings of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

    “To re-state, it is false, malicious and a fabrication by Mr. Martin Amidu that the Speaker of Parliament had secretly met with the President before the rejection of the 2021 Budget. The Speaker has not met the President in Dubai or anywhere else outside the Republic of Ghana.”

  • Kwabena Boateng sworn in as MP for Ejisu by Bagbin

    Kwabena Boateng sworn in as MP for Ejisu by Bagbin

    Newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ejisu constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Kwabena Boateng, was administered the oath of office by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

    Mr. Boateng emerged victorious in the recent by-election, securing 27,782 votes, which accounted for 55.8% of the total ballots cast.

    His closest contender, Mr. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, an independent candidate, received 21,534 votes, representing 43.3% of the vote share.

    The by-election was held following the unfortunate passing of the former MP, Mr. John Kumah, whose dedicated service to the people of Ejisu will be remembered.

    After the administration of the oath, the speaker congratulated Mr Boateng on his election and told the house that “he is now honourable Kwabena Boateng.”

    Adding that “Honourable member you are welcome to the house and I will give you your tools which you have to hold jealously tight.”

  • Four times Supreme Court has ruled against parliamentary decisions

    Four times Supreme Court has ruled against parliamentary decisions

    The 1992 Constitution of Ghana, especially its sections concerning the separation of powers among the executive, judiciary, and legislature, has faced significant challenges in the current era.

    Repeatedly, these three branches of government – the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature – have clashed over governance matters, each asserting its authority as prescribed by the constitution.

    Of particular interest is the tension between the judiciary and the legislature, often leaving Parliament in a precarious position.

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has frequently voiced frustrations over Supreme Court rulings that nullify certain parliamentary decisions.

    Here are the four instances where the Supreme Court invalidated parliamentary decisions:

    Exclusion of 1st and 2nd Ladies from Article 71 Benefits:
    In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court declared that the spouses of the President and Vice President, known as the 1st and 2nd Ladies, are not entitled to benefits reserved for Article 71 officeholders, including ex-gratia payments.

    This decision challenged Parliament-approved recommendations for these benefits, leading to legal action by various parties, including MPs and private citizens.

    Striking Out Sections of the Companies Act 2019:
    The Supreme Court, responding to a constitutional matter, invalidated specific sections of the Companies Act 2019, citing inconsistencies with the 1992 Constitution. The court’s decision came following a legal challenge by lawyer Derick Adu-Gyamfi, who argued that these sections violated constitutional principles such as fair hearing.

    Invalidation of Parts of Parliament’s Standing Orders:
    In March 2022, the Supreme Court struck down portions of Parliament’s Standing Orders, particularly Order 109(3), which addressed the voting rights of a deputy speaker or presiding member. This action stemmed from a legal challenge questioning the constitutionality of the passage of the 2022 budget statement, where the 1st Deputy Speaker counted himself as part of the quorum while presiding over the session.

    Nullification of Sections of the Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020:
    The Supreme Court, in a split decision, invalidated Section 43 of the Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020, which permitted the licensing of cannabis cultivation for industrial and medicinal purposes.

    The court ruled that this section violated Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the legislative process. The lack of proper debate and transparency in introducing this section further underscored the unconstitutionality of the provision.

    “The mode of introduction of Section 43 of Act 1019 violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Accordingly, Section 43 is hereby struck out as unconstitutional.

    “The lack of debate on Section 43 of Act 1019 amounts to not only a direct violation of the letter of Article 106 of the Constitution, but also a violation of the spirit of the law.

    “There was conspicuously, no debate over such a critical shift in policy by Parliament. Needless to say, this conduct and mode of law-making defeats the transparency and accountability enjoined by the Constitution,” graphic.com quoted the court as having said.

  • Parliament to reconvene in the latter part of May

    Parliament to reconvene in the latter part of May

    The Parliament Service has indicated that, barring any emergency or unforeseen circumstance, the House is likely to reconvene in the latter part of May 2024.

    The Service made this revelation while rejecting accusations that Speaker Alban Bagbin is intentionally delaying the recall of Members of Parliament (MPs) due to his political alignment.

    A statement issued on Thursday, April 18, 2024, by the Parliamentary Service clarified that the House is presently in recess, with MPs engaging with constituents, while Bagbin is on a mission in Dubai.

    The statement stressed that no MP has formally requested an early recall. Parliament described efforts by external parties to push for a recall as “frivolous and vexatious,” and deemed it an unwarranted interference in parliamentary matters.

    “It is instructive to note that no such request has been made by any Member of Parliament and so, the calls for a recall of Parliament by persons outside of Parliament is frivolous and vexatious, and amounts to meddling in the work of Parliament.”

    Parliament recognized the need for collaboration and consensus-building given its balanced nature. It dismissed as “unfounded” any insinuations that the Speaker’s reluctance to heed calls for a recall is due to his political affiliation with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    “Parliament is aware of the need for collaboration and consensus building because of its hung nature and the Speaker, has sought throughout his tenure, to remain neutral and fair in his dealings. Therefore, to insinuate that the Speaker is not heeding calls for a recall because of his political allegiance to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is unfounded and unfortunate.

  • Akufo-Addo’s delay in assenting to Anti-LGBTQ+ bill not justified – Catholic Bishops

    Akufo-Addo’s delay in assenting to Anti-LGBTQ+ bill not justified – Catholic Bishops

    The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to work together in ensuring the implementation of the people’s will regarding the contentious Human Sexual Rights and Ghana Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

    Currently, a deadlock exists over the transmission of the Bill from Parliament to the Presidency.

    The President halted the transmission of the anti-gay bill, while the Speaker of Parliament suspended the approval of new ministerial nominees citing a court case.

    This impasse has left many Ghanaians disheartened, questioning why two branches of the government cannot collaborate to protect the country’s values and cultural systems.

    In a recent media interview, Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, stressed the importance of both the Executive and Legislature collaborating in the public interest. He noted that the Bill enjoys majority support among Ghanaians and urged President Akufo-Addo to respect the decision of the people as expressed by their representatives in Parliament.

    “We’re surprised that at this time the President has not signed it yet. People can go and make their cases anywhere, anytime, but as to whether the President should listen to Supreme Court orders or individual presentations before he assents or not, we don’t know if the law provides for that,” Reverend Gyamfi stated.

    “When this law has come from the people and it has been passed by Parliament, I do not find any basis for the President to stand against it and say he will not assent to the Bill,” he added.

    “We call on them to follow what the law and Constitution provide because they are causing concern for all of us. This situation is unprecedented, which is why we are unsure if there’s a provision for it. If there’s no provision, why should the President delay?” Reverend Gyamfi questioned further.

  • “You do me, I do you” – Netizens back Speaker’s ‘tit-for-tat’ reaction in parliament

    “You do me, I do you” – Netizens back Speaker’s ‘tit-for-tat’ reaction in parliament

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, has sparked discussions on X after announcing the suspension of the approval process for newly-vetted ministers nominated by the president.

    Bagbin’s decision, made on March 20, came in response to a presidential directive instructing Parliament to hold off on forwarding the bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values to the president for assent.

    This directive was issued pending the Supreme Court’s determination of cases related to the anti-gay bill.

    The Speaker’s move has triggered various reactions, with Attorney-General Godfred Dame suggesting that Bagbin may have been misled or misinformed in making his decision.

    On X, users have been actively sharing their views on this matter, making the Speaker’s actions a trending topic.

    Clement Apaak remarked, “Stop blaming Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin and the NDC minority caucus; the majority caucus has fallen on its own dagger.”

    Similarly, @babamusah08 stated, “Thanks to Speaker Hon Alban S.K. Bagbin for stamping his authority and not bowing to the whims and caprices of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “Ghana is not Nana Addo’s personal property. Our democracy cannot be sacrificed on the altar of Akufo Addo’s egos.”

  • Alban Bagbin is wrong for suspending ministerial nominees- Godfred Dame

    Alban Bagbin is wrong for suspending ministerial nominees- Godfred Dame

    Attorney-General Godfred Dame has raised doubts over Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin‘s recent move to suspend the approval of ministerial nominees.

    This decision comes amidst ongoing deliberations in the Supreme Court regarding a case challenging President Akufo-Addo’s appointments.

    In an interview with TV3, Dame expressed scepticism, suggesting that the Speaker might have been misinformed or misled regarding the situation.

    “I think that it is either the Speaker was misinformed or misled by those who were mooting the action.

    “Every aspect of this bill is politically motivated. Otherwise, there is really no urgency. I remember mooting the contract management bill, a bill that had the potential to save the state millions of cedis in judgement debt, passed by parliament in July 2023. It was only presented to the president for his assent about three weeks ago. Every step in this matter is politically motivated,” Godfred Dame stated.

    He emphasised the need to address issues within the legal framework and cautioned against engaging in tit-for-tat actions.

    Dame also criticized the perceived political motivations behind certain legislative actions, including the anti-gay bill, highlighting the importance of approaching matters with due legal consideration.

    Contrary to Speaker Bagbin’s claim of an interlocutory injunction affecting the vetting process, Dame clarified that no such legal documents had been served to him, disputing the grounds for suspending the nominations’ approval.


    However, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament on Thursday, March 21, Dame disputed Bagbin’s assertion, stating that no injunction had been filed and thus, parliament was not legally restrained from proceeding with the approval process for ministerial nominees.

    The controversy surrounding the ministerial nominees’ approval process continues as legal and political perspectives intersect in Ghana’s parliamentary landscape.

  • I won’t allow you to do what you want under my watch! – Speaker to Akufo-Addo, Bawumia

    I won’t allow you to do what you want under my watch! – Speaker to Akufo-Addo, Bawumia

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has reaffirmed his steadfast dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s sovereignty and preserving its democratic values amidst possible government intervention.

    Bagbin’s firm position comes in response to a directive from President Akufo-Addo, dated March 18, 2024, instructing Parliament not to forward the anti-gay bill for his endorsement.

    In a strongly-worded message on Facebook, Bagbin expressed his unwavering determination.

    “We will not allow the government to disregard the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives.”

    The Speaker underscored the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s cultural heritage and reclaiming elements lost to historical injustices.

    “Our cultural values have suffered greatly due to colonialism and the slave trade. It is our duty as the current generation to protect what remains and even restore what has been lost,” Bagbin emphasised.

    He urged President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to refrain from trivialising the democratic process.

    “I urge the government, led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to avoid actions that undermine our democratic traditions,” Bagbin cautioned.

    The Speaker concluded by expressing gratitude to Ghanaians for their steadfast commitment to upholding truth and democracy.

    Read his post below;

    Alban Bagbin warns Akufo-Addo and Vice

    The Parliament of Ghana, under my leadership, will resist any affront to the democracy of Ghana. We will not allow a government to undermine the sovereign will of the people expressed through their representatives.

    Particularly as the values of our people are concerned, we have lost so much of them to colonialism and slave trade that this generation has a divine mandate to protect the remnants of our cultural values and even restore the lost ones.

    The culture and democracy of Ghana are so supreme that I will do everything legally possible to safeguard them. I encourage the government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to desist from actions and inactions that attempt to trivialize our democratic practice.

    We at the Parliament House thank all Ghanaians for speaking so loudly on this matter and speaking the truth to the government.

    God bless our homeland, Ghana!

  • I’m determined to protect Ghana’s sovereignty irrespective of gov’t interference – Bagbin to Akufo-Addo, Bawumia

    I’m determined to protect Ghana’s sovereignty irrespective of gov’t interference – Bagbin to Akufo-Addo, Bawumia

    Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament Alban Bagbin has pledged to shield the nation from potential government interference.

    This resolution comes in response to President Akufo-Addo‘s directive dated March 18, 2024, instructing Parliament not to forward the anti-gay bill for his approval.

    Bagbin took to Facebook with a resolute message, declaring, “The Parliament of Ghana under my leadership will resist any attempts to undermine our democracy. We will not allow the government to disregard the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives.”

    Emphasizing the significance of preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage, Bagbin highlighted the impact of historical injustices such as colonialism and the slave trade on the nation’s values.

    He stressed the responsibility of the current generation to protect and, where possible, restore these cultural elements.

    Addressing President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Bagbin urged them to avoid actions that diminish democratic processes.

    He called for a commitment to upholding Ghana’s democratic traditions without trivialising its significance.

    In closing, the Speaker expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their unwavering dedication to truth and democracy.

    He assured that the Parliament, under his stewardship, would defend Ghana’s democracy against any challenges it may face.

    Bagbin’s statement reinforces the nation’s commitment to upholding its democratic ideals and cultural identity amidst external pressures.

    See post below:




  • You are nowhere close to Akufo-Addo in terms of power – Ellen Ama Daaku to Bagbin

    You are nowhere close to Akufo-Addo in terms of power – Ellen Ama Daaku to Bagbin

    The former women’s organiser aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ellen Ama Daaku has rejected the idea of equality between the President and the Speaker of Parliament with regards to their power and authority.

    During her appearance on TV3, Ellen Ama Daaku highlighted the constitutional distinction between the roles of the President and the Speaker of Parliament.

    She underscored that according to the constitution, the President holds the position of the first gentleman of the land, emphasizing that the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and Chief Justice collectively hold precedence over all other individuals in Ghana. 

    “The constitution says the president is the first gentleman of the land. The President and the Speaker of Parliament are not the same. The President comes first, followed by the Vice President, and then the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice, these four shall take precedence over all other persons in Ghana so they are not the same.

    Madam Daaku expressed concern over attempts by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, to equate the authority of the President and the Speaker of Parliament, emphasizing that they are not equivalent positions under the constitutional framework.

    “You see what this thing that the NDC is trying to say not just from Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah from all of them that the president and the Speaker of parliament are the same, they are not the same,” she added.

    Speaker Bagbin had previously claimed to hold the second most powerful position in the country, surpassing the Vice President.

    He recounted an interaction with Supreme Court judges who affirmed his ranking above the Vice President, indicating that he occupies a higher position in the country’s hierarchy than previously assumed.

    Bagbin’s remarks, delivered amidst laughter from Members of Parliament, emphasized the equality of the three arms of government – executive, legislative, and judicial.

    He underscored the need for parity in resource allocation, highlighting the historical neglect of Parliament and the judiciary in budget allocations since 1993.

    Addressing the gathered MPs, Bagbin stressed the significance of elevating parliamentary and judicial funding to at least 5% of total revenue within four years.

    He revealed his discussions with both Majority and Minority leaders regarding this matter and expressed shock at the minimal allocation these branches have historically received.

    “When you start from His Excellency the President, you have to go to the Vice before you come to the Speaker and then you go to the Chief Justice. But there are three arms of government,” he said, attracting spontaneous laughter from the MPs.

    “My colleagues in the Supreme Court actually told me that you are not Number 3, you are Number 2. All those who were present at that meeting were convinced when the Supreme Court judge made the submission and justified it.”

    Mr. Bagbin said “it is not me saying it. I have said I am Number 3 and they said I am not, I am Number 2,” he added.

  • Stop violating constitutional rules – Haruna Iddrisu tells Bagbin

    Stop violating constitutional rules – Haruna Iddrisu tells Bagbin

    The former leader of the Minority in Parliament, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has accused Speaker Alban Bagbin of violating the constitutional rules outlined in Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution.

    According to Mr Iddrisu, the Speaker failed to adhere to the stipulations of this article, which requires the establishment of a committee to assist in selecting members for the Parliamentary Service Board following changes in the Minority group last year.

    Mr Iddrisu raised this concern during the formation of a committee to aid the Speaker in appointing individuals to the Parliamentary Service Board following recent changes in the Majority group.

    He emphasized, “The changes in the Minority leadership happened over a year ago. So, what has the Parliamentary Service Board been doing with the Speaker and Ato Forson? That is against the Constitution”.

    “The Speaker, Mr. Alban Bagbin, is not above the Constitution. He’s not above the rules, and so, when we’re talking about wrong things, it’s a problem when they break the rules of the Constitution.”

    Contrary to Iddrisu’s claims, the Majority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, asserted that Mr. Bagbin followed the correct procedures when Iddrisu vacated his position.

  • Anti-LGBTQI bill: Put sanctions on MP’s, Speaker of Parliament and leave Ghanaians alone – Kwame Pianim to U.S.

    Renowned economist, Mr. Kwame Pianim, has called on the United States and other nations opposed to Ghana’s anti-gay legislation to direct their sanctions specifically towards the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and the Members of Parliament who supported the bill.

    Mr. Pianim emphasized that the bill was not a nationwide referendum and urged against imposing sanctions on the entire country.

    Speaking on TV3’s Business Focus with Paa Kwesi Asare, Mr. Pianim suggested, “my appeal to the US  and the other countries who feel very strongly about lgbtq rights as human rights is that they should not use the instrument of sanctioning the whole country, they should put sanctions on the Speaker of Parliament, those who moved the bill and the 275 of the MPs, put sanction on them and leave the Ghana economy alone.

    “This is not a referendum that has been passed by the people of Ghana, we are already suffering, so don’t add any sanctions to it, sanction the people who are doing this and if these people make our problems worse, all of us Ghanaians should consider seriously,  this 8th parliament of the fourth republic, the administration none of them should receive their gratia.”

    He further warned against detrimental consequences, proposing that if the actions of the lawmakers worsen the country’s problems, none of them should receive their gratia.

    “In total, Ghana is likely to lose US$3.8 billion in World Bank Financing over the next five to six years. For 2024, Ghana will lose US$600 million budget support and US$250 million for the Financial Stability Fund. This will negatively impact Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and exchange rate stability as these inflows are expected to shore up the country’s reserve position,” part of the brief cited by 3news.com reads.

    Expressing discontent with the Finance Ministry’s late warning on the bill’s financial implications, Mr. Pianim stated that the caution should have been issued during the bill’s parliamentary discussions.

    He criticised the administration’s handling of the situation, stating, “It shows how incompetent our administration is; it is really shambolic.”

    The Ministry of Finance had outlined potential financial losses, including a US$3.8 billion reduction in World Bank financing over the next five to six years, following the passing of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

    Mr. Pianim questioned the ministry’s timing, emphasising the importance of addressing financial implications before the bill’s passage.

    Parliament passed the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill on February 28, prompting international concern and the Ministry of Finance’s caution on the potential economic fallout.

  • Events at forecourt of State House disrupting Parliament’s work – Speaker fumes

    Events at forecourt of State House disrupting Parliament’s work – Speaker fumes

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed concern that events held at the forecourt of the State House are posing security threats to Members of Parliament, jeopardizing their ability to carry out their official duties safely.

    He raised these concerns during discussions with the top five schools that participated in the National Public Speaking Competition on Friday, March 1, 2024.

    “I’m sure when you were coming, you heard some noise outside. When we are busy doing our work, there are people outside who are permitted to come and make noise. By the time we go outside, they could have broken into our cars and stolen things. You talk to them; it is like they are deaf and dumb; they don’t hear. We are constrained to be able to function properly.”

    The Speaker also expressed concerns about the IMF’s role in Ghana’s economic downturn. His remarks followed the IMF’s statement regarding the passage of the anti-gay bill, where the IMF reiterated its stance against all forms of discrimination.

    The Speaker, in his response, said, “Anytime they want Ghana to falter and return to them, they will tell their small boys to come and misadvise us. When we do the wrong thing, and we collapse, they [IMF] say, aha! That is what they do to us. Ghana, we have been there 17 times; we have not solved our problems.”

  • Minority chants ‘JM b3ba!’ ahead of SONA 2024

    Minority chants ‘JM b3ba!’ ahead of SONA 2024

    Ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, introduced the dignitaries invited to the event on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

    President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia stood alongside the Speaker as he announced the names, eliciting cheers from the legislators.

    As the list continued to expand, anticipation filled the chamber.

    However, tensions rose as the now-seated Minority members, who had previously threatened to boycott the sitting, erupted into a thunderous roar upon the mention of the name of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama.

    The chamber erupted into nearly five minutes of “JM B3ba” chants in support of Mr. Mahama.

    Despite calls for order from the Speaker, calm remained elusive.

    After the prolonged disruption, the Speaker rose to his feet, casting a stern glance toward the NDC side of the aisle.

    He expressed his disapproval of the disruption and cautioned that punitive measures might be necessary if the behavior persisted.

    Mr. Bagbin proceeded with the acknowledgment and invited President Akufo-

  • People don’t elect us here to waste time – Ablakwa fumes over 700 unresolved cases

    People don’t elect us here to waste time – Ablakwa fumes over 700 unresolved cases

    North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has registered his displeasure over 700 unresolved cases referred to various parliamentary committees for investigation.

    Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Ablakwa expressed worries over what he said were delays by the Majority Caucus in determining the members of the ad-hoc committee responsible for investigating various issues, such as the halted National Cathedral Project.

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, along with other Members of Parliament, have consistently voiced their frustration regarding the extended delays in submitting committee reports concerning critical national issues for deliberation during plenary sessions.

    Given these delays, he urged the Speaker to take decisive steps against the leadership of such committees to ensure the swift resolution of pending cases.

    “We are either taking our constitutional mandate seriously or not. The people don’t elect us to come to this House to waste time and not attend to matters urgently and to derelict on our constitutional mandate, and so I think it is time to crack the whip.”

    “The last time we were at a workshop, the clerk said there were about 700 referrals that have not been covered, and it doesn’t speak well of us.”

  • Your actions show you’re against anti-LGBTQ+ bill – Speaker to Afenyo-Markin

    Your actions show you’re against anti-LGBTQ+ bill – Speaker to Afenyo-Markin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a veiled message directed at Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, in relation to the anti- LGBTQ+ bill.

    Bagbin’s remarks came after Afenyo-Markin proposed engaging the flagbearers of the leading political parties on the bill and suggested amendments replacing imprisonment with community service.

    However, Bagbin has urged Afenyo-Markin to align his actions with his words, emphasizing that the time for stakeholders’ engagement had passed.

    He stressed that actions speak louder than words, and the House must continue its authorized proceedings without further delays.

    Bagbin stated, “We have gone past that, we have done the second reading, this is not the time to call for stakeholders’ engagement; there is no such practice in our proceedings. Please, actions speak louder than words; take note of that. It is not a matter of getting up and saying I am not opposed to the bill; I am in complete support of the bill, meanwhile, your actions are speaking differently from the words you are using.

    “This House must continue to consider and do what it is authorized to do. After that, anybody else can decide on what to do. I can no longer extend this grace for a delay in the processing of this bill”.

    In response to the lack of support for his proposed amendments, Afenyo-Markin withdrew all suggested changes to the anti-LGBT+ bill.

    Initially moving a motion for the amendment of 20 clauses, he faced opposition during a voice vote, leading to the withdrawal of his proposals. Despite suggesting a secret vote, the Speaker instructed him to withdraw a similar proposed amendment, which he complied with.

  • Parliament’s move to use local languages during proceedings commendable – Franklin Cudjoe

    Parliament’s move to use local languages during proceedings commendable – Franklin Cudjoe

    President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has embraced Parliament’s initiative to encourage the use of local languages during its sessions.

    Cudjoe commended the idea of Members of Parliament expressing themselves in their native dialects, deeming it a commendable practice, especially as the assembly gears up to welcome new members.

    On February 16, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, directed committees on education, finance, culture, and tourism to investigate the factors contributing to the decline of local languages in the country.

    The aim is to propose recommendations to address this issue, prompted by concerns raised by MPs regarding the diminishing use of local languages, particularly in schools nationwide.

    Bagbin also disclosed plans for technological upgrades in the parliamentary chamber to facilitate the incorporation of local languages in future sessions.

    In a statement released on February 19, Cudjoe expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I was delighted to hear that Ghana’s Parliament will now allow the use of local languages in conducting business.”

    He speculated that this shift might be in anticipation of new members taking the place of experienced MPs proficient in parliamentary procedure and skilled in expressing themselves in English during debates.

    Mr Cudjoe envisioned the potential for MPs like Alexander Afenyo-Markin to deliver their initial remarks in Fante and Ewe.

    However, Mr Cudjoe underscored the irreplaceable position of the English language as a global communication tool.

    While endorsing the inclusion of local languages in internal communication systems, he emphasized the importance of being prepared to learn international languages for global relevance.

    Mr Cudjoe cited examples of others learning Chinese and Australian children learning Korean for economic reasons, highlighting the need to adapt to both local and international linguistic dynamics.

    READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW 

    I was delighted to hear that Ghana’s Parliament will now allow the use of local languages in conducting business.

    I remember as far back in July 2015, when the young and clever master of parliamentary procedure, Hon.Alexander kwamena Afenyo-Markin now Deputy Majority Leader, made a passionate appeal for the provision of facilities to encourage the use of local languages in parliament.

    In November 2015, Hon. fenyo-Markin again emphasized the urgency to allow MPs who felt comfortable making submissions in local languages be allowed. The situation had become critical against the background of grammatical errors made by two members of Parliament then, when reggae musician and radio show host, Blakk Rasta, appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Privileges to interrogate the matter.

    The MP for Adentan at the time, “Mr Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, in a question to the Editor of the Searchlight newspaper, Mr Ken Kuranchie, asked: ” I will like to know from Mr Ken Kuranchie, in your paper, did you attributed (sic) the story to Adom FM online. Did you also spoke (sic) to Blakk Rasta?.”

    “The member for Effigya Sekyere East, Mr Henric David Yeboah, who filed the complaints with the House, also kept referring to Blakk Rasta as “Brack Rasta.” Since then, one news report said, “some radio presenters have played both voices on their stations and made humorous anecdotes of the errors to provoke laughter.” Hon. Afenyo-Markin then attempted to make his submission in the Fante language, arguing that one’s ability to speak fluent English wasn’t the yardstick of intelligence and wisdom.

    Today, with an activist Speaker of Parliament in Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, the stage is set for the adaptation of local languages in conducting Parliamentary business. It may well be timely as the House prepares to welcome many new entrants that will be replacing experienced MPs who were not just skilled in the art of Parliamentary procedure, but were able to communicate their positions during debates effortlessly in the English Language. It would be an admirable encounter to listen to Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin makes his preliminary remarks in Fante and Ewe when he becomes the Majority Leader in a few days. Even better it would have been if my SALL MP had been allowed to argue for a rehabilitation of very bad roads and schools in the Siwu or Sekpele language.

    However, it must be made clear that the English language is a universal language and can not be replaced. These days, others are learning Chinese in order to be part of the coming Chinese ‘ economic dragon’! While travelling in Australia , I enjoyed a discussion in the media about allowing Aussie kids to learn Korean! Yes, Korean! Reason? Not just for the fact that Australia may be closer to Korea, but mainly economic! So, there you have it! Adapt your internal communication systems to include local languages but also be prepared to learn international languages of the times, or you perish!

    I am looking for a great French, Spanish and Chinese teacher!

    Franklin Cudjoe!

  • Watch Bagbin’s inspirational Ghanaian look in parliament

    Watch Bagbin’s inspirational Ghanaian look in parliament

    On Thursday, February 15, 2024, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin took charge of the debate during the second consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

    For a considerable period, the speaker has actively advocated for Members of Parliament (MPs) to participate in proceedings adorned in traditional attire.

    “I expect our members to present themselves in parliament dressed in traditional attire going forward,” he declared, receiving unanimous agreement from the house.

    In line with his dedication to transforming the dress code and conduct norms of MPs, Alban Bagbin was observed on Thursday wearing a blue Fulani attire, complete with a large white scarf wrapped around his head.

    Chief of the Fulani Community in the Ashanti Region, Alhaji Osman Bin Ahmed



    This ensemble closely resembled the customary clothing worn by Muslims during significant traditional gatherings.

  • Speaker calls for approval of new Appointment Committee to expedite ministerial vetting process 

    Speaker calls for approval of new Appointment Committee to expedite ministerial vetting process 

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for immediate action from Parliament to facilitate the transition of the newly appointed Ministers and deputies.

    The call follow’s President Akufo-Addo’s latest shake-up of government appointees which was announced on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 

    In a session held in Parliament, the Speaker stressed the urgency of the situation and directed the leadership of the House to expedite the process of approving a new appointment committee to enable a fast-track vetting process for new ministerial appointees.

    Speaker Bagbin, acknowledging the significance of the reshuffle, emphasized the need for swift action to ensure a seamless transition.

    “Hon Members, the nominations are accordingly referred to the appointments committee for consideration and report. Leadership of the House, you’re hereby called upon to submit the recomposed committees immediately for the consideration of the committee on selection. 

    “We need to approve the new composition of the newly approved committees by the House so that they can take immediate actions on this reorganization of the government,” stated Speaker Bagbin during the parliamentary session,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo has unveiled a significant cabinet reshuffle, marking a pivotal moment in the administration’s governance strategy. The shake-up comes amidst mounting calls for change and perhaps aims to reinvigorate the government ahead of the upcoming December election.

    The decision was announced on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 

    One of the headline changes in this Valentine’s Day ministerial shuffle is the replacement of the controversial Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta. Ofori-Atta, who has faced criticism from within his party’s ranks, is set to be replaced by Dr. Mohammed Adam Amin Anta, MP for Karaga and a seasoned technocrat with extensive experience in the financial sector.

    Another notable appointment is that of Lydia Alhassan, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, who will take over as the new Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources after going through and passing the vetting process. She replaces Freda Prempeh and will be tasked with addressing key challenges in sanitation and water provision, previously overseen by Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    The reshuffle also includes Andrew Agyepa Mercer, the Deputy Minister of Energy and MP for Sekondi, who will assume the role of Minister of Tourism. Mercer’s appointment is seen as a positive step towards promoting Ghana as a top tourist destination and boosting the tourism sector.

    Henry Quartey, a respected figure in the government, has been designated as the Interior Minister Designate, responsible for maintaining internal security and safeguarding the nation’s borders. He replaces Ambrose Dery, who decided not to stand for re-election.

    Other key appointments include Ophelia Hayford Mensah as the Minister for Environment Science, Technology, and Innovation, Fatimatu Abubakar as the Information Minister, and Francis Asenso Boakye as the Roads and Highways Minister.

  • Deputy Minority Chief Whip accuses Akufo-Addo of denying Speaker’s Constitutional role as acting president 

    Deputy Minority Chief Whip accuses Akufo-Addo of denying Speaker’s Constitutional role as acting president 

    Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of deliberately bypassing the constitutional mandate that grants the Speaker of Parliament the authority to act as president in the absence of both the president and vice president.

    During an interview on Accra-based Okay FM on Friday, February 9, 2024, Mr. Ibrahim claimed that President Akufo-Addo has deliberately withheld this privilege from Speaker Alban Bagbin due to a purported lack of shared vision between them. He alleged that previous speakers, including Oquaye, Ala Adjetey, Madam Bamford Addo, Joe Adjaho, D. F. Annan, and Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, were all allowed to assume the position of acting president in accordance with the Constitution.

    Mr. Ibrahim highlighted instances where even the Chief Justice was sworn in as acting president when the president, vice president, and speaker were absent on official duties outside the country. However, he asserted that the current government has intentionally prevented Speaker Bagbin from exercising this constitutional right.

    The Deputy Minority Chief Whip further contrasted the treatment of Speaker Bagbin with that of Vice President Bawumia, implying that the latter has been afforded this opportunity due to his alignment with the president’s vision. He questioned Dr. Bawumia’s actions and responsibilities during Cabinet meetings when he served as Acting President, suggesting that he must have made decisions during those sessions.

    “Dr. Bawumia cannot pretend not to have made any decision as acting president,” Mr. Ibrahim stated during the interview.

    These allegations come amidst growing tensions between the government and the opposition, with the role of the Speaker of Parliament being a focal point of contention. As the political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the 2024 elections, Mr. Ibrahim’s accusations shed light on the complex dynamics at play within Ghana’s political sphere.

  • Minority Chief Whip explains why Bagbin hasn’t been acting president

    Minority Chief Whip explains why Bagbin hasn’t been acting president

    Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of deliberately bypassing the constitutional mandate that grants the Speaker of Parliament the authority to act as president in the absence of both the president and vice president.

    During an interview on Accra-based Okay FM on Friday, February 9, 2024, Mr. Ibrahim claimed that President Akufo-Addo has deliberately withheld this privilege from Speaker Alban Bagbin due to a purported lack of shared vision between them. He alleged that previous speakers, including Oquaye, Ala Adjetey, Madam Bamford Addo, Joe Adjaho, D. F. Annan, and Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, were all allowed to assume the position of acting president in accordance with the Constitution.

    Mr. Ibrahim highlighted instances where even the Chief Justice was sworn in as acting president when the president, vice president, and speaker were absent on official duties outside the country. However, he asserted that the current government has intentionally prevented Speaker Bagbin from exercising this constitutional right.

    The Deputy Minority Chief Whip further contrasted the treatment of Speaker Bagbin with that of Vice President Bawumia, implying that the latter has been afforded this opportunity due to his alignment with the president’s vision. He questioned Dr. Bawumia’s actions and responsibilities during Cabinet meetings when he served as Acting President, suggesting that he must have made decisions during those sessions.

    “Dr. Bawumia cannot pretend not to have made any decision as acting president,” Mr. Ibrahim stated during the interview.

    These allegations come amidst growing tensions between the government and the opposition, with the role of the Speaker of Parliament being a focal point of contention. As the political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the 2024 elections, Mr. Ibrahim’s accusations shed light on the complex dynamics at play within Ghana’s political sphere.

  • Flashback: Young Bagbin in Parliament reacting to Peter Ala Adjetey’s nomination as Speaker

    Flashback: Young Bagbin in Parliament reacting to Peter Ala Adjetey’s nomination as Speaker

    Video footage has resurfaced showcasing a young Alban Bagbin delivering a speech in Parliament on January 7, 2001, during the inauguration of President Kufuor, where he seconded the nomination of Rt – Hon Peter Ala Adjetey as Speaker of the 3rd Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

    In his speech, Alban Bagbin, currently serving as the Speaker of Parliament, stated, “Mr Chairman, I rise to second the motion urging this house to accept the nomination of Peter Ala Adjetey as Speaker of the 3rd parliament of the fourth republic.”

    Alban Bagbin, in his address, emphasized the importance of the Speaker’s conduct in determining the success of his tenure.

    He remarked, “Mr Chairman, we have however seconded the motion but to signal him that his stay in this house as a speaker, depends greatly on how he conducts the affairs of the house.”

    Rt. Hon Peter Ala Adjetey, the nominee for Speaker at that time, was a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics. Adjetey had a rich legal background and had previously served as the Attorney General of Ghana.

    Alban Bagbin has held several positions in Parliament since 1994 and capped his law-making career with the ultimate, Majority Leader and Leader of the House before becoming the speaker in 2021.

    In the first Parliament of the Fourth Republic, he was made the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Subsidiary Legislation and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy and Member of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development.

    From 1995 to date, Alban Bagbin has been a member of a group known as Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and member of the international Law and Human Rights Programme of the PGA.

    From 1996 to 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Restructuring of the Water Sector (Ministry of Works and Housing) while between 1997 to 2001, he was a member of the National Media Commission.

    In the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic, Alban Bagbin was the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs with oversight responsibilities for the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Electoral Commission, National Commission on Civic Education, Office of Parliament and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

    He was also the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from 2001 to 2005. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

  • 2024 elections demand heightened democracy awareness – Bagbin

    2024 elections demand heightened democracy awareness – Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has emphasized the imperative to enhance the understanding of multiparty democracy as a means to preserve the unity of the country in anticipation of the 2024 general elections.

    In his Christmas address to the Ghanaian people, Speaker Bagbin underscored the significance of 2024, deeming it a critical year due to the impending elections.

    He expressed a hopeful prayer that efforts be directed towards deepening the comprehension and practice of multiparty democracy, urging that differences should serve to unite rather than divide.

    Speaker Bagbin articulated the need to safeguard and augment Ghana’s democratic principles.

    He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the robust partnership among political parties, the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), the clergy, and other entities in sustaining democracy over the past 30 years.

    “We have, as a nation, been able to stay the course, 30 continuous uninterrupted democratic rule because of the partnership between not just the political parties alone but the media, CSOs, and our traditional leaders.

    “I think it is important we continue this partnership, strengthening it and in fact, making sure that every organ of the state, private sector, and CSO is strengthened,” he said.

    He added “30 years is a great achievement. Ghana has made it globally, your parliament now leads the Parliamentary Community in the world, we chair and preside over the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association made up of 182 parliaments of the world, and we chair and preside over the Conference of Speakers and Heads of Parliament Africa, and we are in the leadership of the World Parliament, now called the Interparliamentary Union.

    “By virtue of a number of decisions and laws passed by Parliament, we are now a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. As you all know, we also sit at the Security Council, so Ghana is now in its rightful place as the heart of the world. This is an achievement that we should be proud of and we should do everything we can to deepen the democratic culture and inspire the challenges we are facing.”

    The Speaker called for the reinforcement of this collaboration, emphasizing the importance of strengthening every organ of the state, private sector, and CSOs.

    Reflecting on Ghana’s achievements over the years, Speaker Bagbin highlighted the nation’s global recognition in parliamentary leadership. He noted that Ghana, through its Parliament, chairs and presides over the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Conference of Speakers and Heads of Parliament in Africa. Additionally, the country is actively engaged in the Interparliamentary Union, holding a leadership position in the World Parliament.

    Acknowledging Ghana’s membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council and its role in the Security Council, Speaker Bagbin celebrated the country’s elevation to a central position on the world stage. He urged pride in these accomplishments and called for collective efforts to deepen the democratic culture, addressing the challenges faced by the nation.

  • Ghana’s parliament takes center stage on the world platform – Bagbin

    Ghana’s parliament takes center stage on the world platform – Bagbin


    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin lauds Ghana’s parliamentary achievements and calls for concerted efforts to safeguard and enhance the nation’s democracy.

    In his Christmas message, Bagbin emphasizes the pivotal role of partnerships between political parties, the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and traditional leaders in sustaining 30 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

    He urged the continuation and strengthening of these partnerships, emphasizing the need for every sector, including the state, private sector, and CSOs, to be fortified.

    Bagbin proudly highlights Ghana’s global leadership in parliamentary affairs, chairing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and presiding over the Conference of Speakers and Heads of Parliament Africa.

    “we have, as a nation, been able to stay the course, 30 continuous uninterrupted democratic rule because of the partnership between not just the political parties alone but the media, CSOs, and our traditional leaders.

    “I think it is important we continue this partnership, strengthening it and in fact, making sure that every organ of the state, private sector, and CSO is strengthened.”

    He added “30 years is a great achievement. Ghana has made it globally, your parliament now leads the Parliamentary Community in the world, we chair and preside over the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association made up of 182 parliaments of the world, and we chair and preside over the Conference of Speakers and Heads of Parliament Africa, and we are in the leadership of the World Parliament, now called the Interparliamentary Union.

    “By virtue of a number of decisions and laws passed by Parliament, we are now a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. As you all know, we also sit at the Security Council, so Ghana is now in its rightful place as the heart of the world.

    “This is an achievement that we should be proud of and we should do everything we can to deepen the democratic culture and inspire the challenges we are facing.”

    He noted Ghana’s leadership in the World Parliament, now known as the Interparliamentary Union.

    Additionally, Bagbin underscores the nation’s membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council and participation in the Security Council, solidifying Ghana’s position as a global leader.

    Celebrating Ghana’s achievements, Bagbin urges national pride and a collective commitment to deepening the democratic culture.

    He encouraged tackling challenges with inspiration drawn from the nation’s accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of preserving and strengthening democratic values in the face of adversity.

  • Akufo-Addo can’t be forced to sign bills – H Kwasi Prempeh

    Akufo-Addo can’t be forced to sign bills – H Kwasi Prempeh


    The President cannot be compelled judicially to sign a bill into law, although certain bills can become law by operation of law, Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor H Kwasi Prempeh has told Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.

    Prof Prempeh was touching on the stalemate between Parliament and the Executive following the refusal of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sign the three bills presented to his office.

    The bills are; Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Criminal Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2023, and Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    Speaker Bagbin indicated that the President’s decision not to sign the three private member’s bills demonstrated his misunderstanding of the constitutional processes in the country.

    “Absence of a judicial determination from the Supreme Court, the President’s unilateral assessment of unconstitutionality does not hold legal water. It is a departure from the established legal procedure, norms, and practices that govern our constitutional democracy.

    “The appropriate lawful response if there were genuine concerns about the constitutionality of the legislative action of this house would have been to seek judicial review from the Supreme Court.”

    Madina lawmaker Francis Xavier Sosu who sponsored the bills also accused President Akufo-Addo of acting unconstitutionally for not signing the three bills.

    “I think the president is acting unconstitutionally and it is the role of the speaker to tell the president in his face that he is acting unconstitutionally.

    “Since the bill got passed in July this year we have over five people who have already been killed again on account of witchcraft accusations,” he told TV3 in an interview.

    President Akufo-Addo while notifying Parliament of his inability to assent to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022, raised constitutional matters regarding the Bills.

    In the letter he wrote to Parliament “I am writing to you in reference to our meeting held on the 28th of November, 2023 at my office where we discussed the outstanding bills presented for assent namely; the Criminal Offenses Amendment Bill 2023, Criminal Offences Amendment number 2 Bill 2023, and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023.

    “During our conversation, I raised specific constitutional concerns regarding these bills related to Article 108 of the Constitution, particularly the nature of these bills which were introduced into Parliament as private members’ bills rather than being presented by me or on my behalf….”

    “As I indicated the content of these bills have my support, but we need to ensure that they are enacted in line with established constitutional and legislative process. After thorough consideration and in light of the constitutional issue I pointed out during our meeting, I am unable to assent to these bills.

    “The concerns raised are significant and have profound implications for the constitutional integrity of these legislative actions. Any legislation we pass must be in complete alignment with the provisions of our Constitution. I intend to have these bills reintroduced in Parliament on my behalf in due course,” he added.

    Regarding the Ghana Armed Forces Amendment Bill, President Akufo-Addo, in the letter indicated his inability to sign after citing financial implications on the state’s Consolidated Fund and potential breaches of Article 108 of the Constitution as reasons for his refusal.

    Reacting to the comment by the speaker that the president lacks an understanding of the constitutional process, Prof Prempeh who is also a private legal practitioner said in a Facebook post that “Our Imperial Speaker. No, the President need not seek the opinion of the Supreme Court first before deciding to veto a bill on constitutional grounds. If the President independently believes that Parliament exceeded its constitutional authority in passing a particular bill as a Private Member’s bill, the President can stand on that ground to veto the bill.

    “If the Speaker is free to authorize Parliament to proceed on a private member’s bill because he believes the bill does not infringe Article 108, so is the President free to veto such a bill passed by Parliament if he believes it to infringe Article 108.

    “And, if he does so, not even a Supreme Court determination to the contrary can override or set aside the President’s veto. Parliament is, however, free to consider the bill again, and only if it is able to pass the same bill again by at least a two-thirds majority, will the President’s veto have been defeated. In short, the only check against the President’s use of his veto power is a political one, in the form of a legislative override by a supermajority; it is not a judicial one.

    “The President cannot be compelled judicially to sign a bill into law, although certain bills can become law by operation of law (i.e., automatically, with or without the president’s assent). Any misunderstanding here is on the part of the Speaker.”

  • IMF has never fostered societal development – Alban Bagbin

    IMF has never fostered societal development – Alban Bagbin

    Speaker, Alban Bagbin, has raised concerns regarding the recurring reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by successive governments during economic crises.

    Addressing an event in the Volta Region over the weekend, Bagbin pointed out that Ghana’s economic challenges stem from development plans influenced by political motives. This tendency has led to the discontinuation of projects when a new party assumes power.

    Bagbin emphasized the need for a comprehensive national development plan and vision. He urged all political parties to unite around this common plan to prevent fragmented strategies and the subsequent abandonment of crucial projects.

    “We leave a lot of uncompleted projects, wasting a lot of national resources and going to beg the IMF to salvage us when we know that the IMF has never supported any society to develop.

    “No society in the world has been developed through the support of the IMF. So, we have been there 17 times and we are worse off, yet we are going again. Cap in hand, begging for salvation,” he stressed.

    His remarks come at a time when the government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Ado is currently operating under a $3 billion IMF program, with only the initial installment of $600 million disbursed thus far.

    The state of the Ghanaian economy has been a prominent subject of discussion in recent months, marked by challenges such as soaring inflation, a weakening currency, a general decline in the quality of life, and the overall high cost of living.

    The government has consistently attributed these economic difficulties to the aftermath of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. Last year, in response to the challenges, the government sought and secured a $3 billion IMF loan, with the first tranche of $600 million having been deposited into the government’s account.

  • 8th parliament is Ghana’s best in history – Bagbin

    8th parliament is Ghana’s best in history – Bagbin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lauded the 8th Parliament of Ghana under the 4th Republic as unparalleled, citing its unique dynamics that prevent the dominant imposition of policies.

    Speaking at a public forum in Ho to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the parliament, Bagbin highlighted the distinctive nature of the hung parliament, where the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress share equal representation.

    He commended the balance between majority and minority forces, asserting that this prevents the unilateral imposition of decisions and encourages consensus-building.

    “This hung parliament is not like the other parliaments, and I would want to urge all of you to let us continue along this path, and with time you will see the difference. We take time to take decisions, but we build consensus in taking the decision. We don’t push it down the throat of many people.

    Bagbin stressed the importance of maintaining such equilibrium, urging voters to consider the advantages of a hung parliament where decisions are carefully deliberated and not forcefully pushed through.

    He cautioned against the idea of having a single party with a significant majority, emphasizing his own experiences and the benefits of a collaborative approach to governance.

    The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, chaired the event and used the occasion to reflect on the national goals outlined in the 1992 constitution.

    Expressing concern about the unfulfilled dreams of the founding fathers and the challenges faced by the country, he urged Parliament to assess its role in facilitating development, improving living standards, and supporting local businesses.

    The forum provided a timely opportunity for introspection and evaluation of Parliament’s contributions to national progress over the past 30 years.

    “There are several graduates of six years standing who are still looking for jobs. What it means, therefore, is that we have not achieved the objectives of our people. You’ve not realized the dreams of our founding fathers, and of course, we have not realized the aspirations that are enshrined in our 1992 constitution”, he stressed.

    “This forum would not have been happening at a better time than now, time to take stock, time for parliament to look back and ask, how much have we done to facilitate the development of the country? How much have we done to raise living standards? How much have we done to bring business to our people? That is the essence”, he added.

  • Bagbin advocates for chiefs’ participation in politics

    Bagbin advocates for chiefs’ participation in politics

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is advocating for chiefs to actively participate in politics.

    Speaking at a meeting with traditional authorities at the Volta Region House of Chiefs, the Speaker said he disagreed with the position of Ghana’s Constitution on chiefs not actively participating in politics.

    He contended that chiefs who have already assumed leadership positions must be allowed to take part in active politics.

    The meeting was part of activities to commemorate three decades of parliamentary democracy in Ghana.

    During the meeting, the Speaker explained that sidelining the chieftaincy institution and preventing it from taking its rightful position to contribute effectively to governance does not benefit the country in anyway.

    “I completely disagree with the framers of the Constitution when they say that Chiefs cannot play active politics”, he said.

    He said that the Constitution preventing chiefs from contesting political positions was against the basic principles of human rights, as they were denied the right to be voted for.

    “The Supreme Court has given us an explanation of what they meant by active politics. But by the franchise, your right to vote is made up of two ingredients. The right to vote for somebody and the right also to be voted for by some people, that is the franchise.

    So how can you give them half of it? The chiefs can vote for people but nobody can vote for them. That definitely is wrongful and unlawful. You can say it is constitutional, but basically, it doesn’t sit well with the basic principles of human rights”, he explained.

    He complained about the fact that chiefs who are already community leaders were being prevented by the constitution from performing their primary role of leading their respective jurisdictions to develop and ensure that policies are effectively implemented.

    “That is oxymoron, contradicting itself. These are some of the intricacies that we have to sit down to resolve. It is not right”, he stressed. 

    He, therefore, called for an amendment of the Chieftaincy Act to reposition the chieftaincy institution as an integral part of governance, to rectify the contradictions caused by the constitution.

    He opined that the reforms could focus on modernizing the chieftaincy institution to meet the current dynamics of society, adding that the state must constantly support the institution to play its mandated roles in helping to develop the country.

  • Akufo-Addo will assent to anti-LGBTQ+ bill, he has no choice – Alban Bagbin

    Akufo-Addo will assent to anti-LGBTQ+ bill, he has no choice – Alban Bagbin

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared that no individual, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, possesses the authority to prevent parliament from passing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill currently under consideration.

    Bagbin emphasized that once the bill is passed, President Akufo-Addo would be obligated to sign it into law.

    These remarks were made during the parliamentary session on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, as the house deliberated on the draft Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

    Bagbin further stated that individuals opposed to the bill would have the option to challenge it in court once it becomes law.

    “It is not the case, constitutionally, that when a person finds problems with the laws we pass that have concerns that are constitutional in nature, it is not only that, they could be legal, not constitutional, they may be even matters of policy. But the president is not indulge with veto power.

    “He only makes comments and resubmits it to the house, If the house insists that what we have passed is the right thing. The president has no option than to assent to it,” he said.

    The speaker added, “Ghanaians are after that permitted to take it to any court for interpretation. So, we are not bound to be looking over our shoulder because the present is there to make comments”.

  • Bagbin misspoke, creating OSP is no act of futility – Martin Kpebu 

    Renowned Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu has disputed the assertion by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, that creating the Office of the Special Prosecutor was an act of futility.

    In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Kpebu argued that the Speaker’s assertion is baseless, as the Special Prosecutor’s Office, regardless of its constraints, has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness in fulfilling its role and mandate in the ongoing fight against corruption.

    “I vehemently disagree with the speaker. Generally I’m positively disposed towards Mr Speaker, however, on this occasion, I think Mr Speaker misspoke,” he said.

    The Speaker during the consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021, intimated that creating the OSP was an act in futility.

    He argued that given the existence of offices such as the Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry of Justice, there was no need for an OSP.  

    In a reaction, Mr Kpebu questioned the basis on which such a claim was made and noted that if the argument revolves around insufficient funding and resources for the OSP’s operations, then it cannot be asserted that creating the office was futile.

    “Funding is not the greatest challenge. The problem is about independence, grit, and the resilience of somebody who can take the necessary decisions to prosecute corruption and corruption related offenses. So it’s indisputable that over the decade we have all agreed that usually an Attorney General who is appointed by the President is not the best person to prosecute his colleagues, they don’t usually do well,” he said.

    He noted that the OSP has proven himself worthy in his role, adding that Ghana’s democracy has moved forward because of the OSP. 

    “Mr Agyebeng has had his problems but the office has done well. Look at Labianca. Through the Labianca case, Kissi Agyebeng ordered GRA to come out with a new policy… If you look at Adu Boahen, Cecilia Dapaahs case, even though he’s not won in court, in the court of Public Opinion, we have finished.

    “And our democracy has moved forward because Cecilia Dapaah has suffered a lot of public backlash, naming and shaming and it’s moved our democracy forward. It doesn’t matter what finally happens in court. For the public, 1 million dollars, subsequently, US$ 590,000, and then GHc 2.8 million, she can’t explain. Even if later, through technicalities she wins in court, that fact will always remain that she couldn’t explain to the general public how she got the money. So our demo is moved forward. That’s accountability,” he noted.

  • There was no use creating OSP – Bagbin

    There was no use creating OSP – Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin expressed his conviction that the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) amounted to an exercise in futility. 

    Bagbin’s remarks shed light on the skepticism surrounding the efficacy of the OSP, raising questions about its purpose and impact.

    Given the presence of offices such as the Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry of Justice, the Speaker deems the creation of the OSP unnecessary.

    Speaking during the consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021, the Speaker of Parliament reaffirmed his stance that the office will not achieve any results in the fight against corruption.

    Speaker Bagbin insists the Attorney General’s department should rather be decoupled from the Ministry of Justice.

    “As for the law you passed on the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, I did tell you that it was an act in futility, you were not going to achieve anything but you went ahead and passed it,” he said.

    The assertion by the Speaker follows similar sentiments expressed by the Minority in Parliament since the establishment of the Office.

    Earlier, the group had alleged that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has not been able to successfully prosecute a single case of corruption for punishment.

    Speaking to journalists, the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, said the office was unnecessary in the face of numerous investigative bodies in the country.

    “While some of us believe that that office was needless, because EOCO, CID and financial crime unit all those offices can combine and do a good job, the government insisted that the OSP will do more jobs. Are you aware that as we speak, they have not been able to successfully prosecute a single case, and anybody punished? So the question is how useful is that office? So we are saying that other people could have done the same thing,” he noted.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established after an act of Parliament passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is an independent specialised agency responsible for performing four (4) main functions.

    • The OSP is tasked with investigating specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption or corruption-related offences involving public officers and persons who have been entrusted with prominent public functions in Ghana or a foreign country or an international organisation such as senior political party officials, government officials, judicial officials, military officials, a person who is or has been an executive in a foreign country of a state-owned company, a senior political party official in a foreign country, and an immediate family member or close associate of such a person, as well as persons in the private sector involved in the commission of such offences.
    • The OSP is mandated to prosecute offenders involved in the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences on the authority of the Attorney-General.
    • The OSP is empowered to recover the proceeds of corruption and corruption-related offences.
    • The OSP is required to stake steps to prevent corruption.
  • Akufo-Addo’s inaction on Witchcraft Bill ‘unacceptable’ – Speaker Bagbin

    Akufo-Addo’s inaction on Witchcraft Bill ‘unacceptable’ – Speaker Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed strong disapproval of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s failure to take action on the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022 (Witchcraft Bill), deeming it “unacceptable.”

    The bill, sponsored by Francis-Xavier Sosu, was successfully passed in July 2023 with the aim of providing protection to elderly individuals accused of being witches.

    Mr. Bagbin has voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of action from the presidency on this matter.

    He said: “At a number of events, the president, during the recess, indicated to me verbally that he wants to discuss something with me. That is all. He didn’t talk specifically about the bill. It is the Majority Leader who spoke to me about the bill, stating that he has sight of it and saw that what has been compiled has problems.

    “So, I directed the clerk at the table to go through the deliberations of the house to see if they were the ones that had been captured.”

    “On the final day, the Majority Leader was not available. But Parliament has established a department called a legislative office, and they are called upon to capture what happens here before sending it to the draft department for them to compile the decisions of the house in the form of the bill. So, there is a procedure in doing this”.

    “And for us not to receive any communication from the presidency, even to acknowledge receipt or to say they have a problem with it, that is definitely unacceptable.”

    On the same issue, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson said: “The Criminal Offence Amendment bill together with the witchcraft bill was approved by this house months ago.

    “Mr. Speaker, these are bills that I have personally followed, and I am aware that the bills, after the passage of this house, were sent to the president months ago. So clearly, Mr. Speaker, there is a constitutional breach, and this house must take steps to deal with it.”

    Also, Majority LeadermOsei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, explained that: “After the passage of the bill, going through it, we saw major issues”.

    “That is from Parliament itself and also informed the president that there are issues with the bill, which prompted him to indicate that he then has to have conversations with the Speaker.

    “Unfortunately, at the time, the Speaker was unavailable, and when the president came, the Speaker was also unavailable. As for the president assenting to the bill, it can easily be done.”

  • “Behave! You have a lame duck president, you need NDC’s help” – Speaker Bagbin ‘warns’ Majority

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has warned the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, to cooperate with the Minority side or face legislative gridlock.

    The Speaker expressed his dissatisfaction with the Majority Leader’s failure to ensure the attendance of his members during the debate on the 2024 budget. Bagbin described Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s performance as “limping”.

    The Speaker attributed the poor performance of the Majority to the change of loyalties within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after the party’s presidential primaries.

    Notably, with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emerging as the NPP’s flagbearer, Bagbin observed a transition in allegiances away from the incumbent, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    Bagbin observed that the reported change in loyalty has led to NPP MPs appearing to neglect their parliamentary responsibilities, treating President Akufo-Addo as a president with limited influence.

    To tackle this issue, the Speaker encouraged the Majority Leader to give precedence to working together with the Minority, highlighting that the legislative process might encounter challenges without such collaboration.

    “I expect the majority who have a limping majority leader, limping because when you look at his back you’re less than those in front of you. You have a lame duck president, a lame duck because you have elected a flagbearer and loyalty and commitment are shifting.So, your president is now a lame duck president. You need this side of the house to support you to finish your eight years,” Mr. Bagbin mentioned.

    “And so if you don’t behave well, we have difficulty in proceeding as a nation…please, I expect you to cooperate; I will not allow them to bully you. You’ll get sufficient time to put across your case,” he warned.

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was elected as the NPP’s flagbearer on November 4, 2023, ahead of the 2024 general election. 

  • Speaker Bagbin’s residence was not sold to a private developer – Lands Commission

    Speaker Bagbin’s residence was not sold to a private developer – Lands Commission

    The Lands Commission has denied reports indicating that the Speaker of Parliament’s official residence at Cantonments was ever sold to a private developer.

    Speaker Alban Bagbin, while at the Speaker’s Breakfast Forum on Monday, disclosed that his residence was almost sold to a private developer.

    He revealed that the attempt to sell came to light when the developer sought to register the land at the Lands Commission.

    “Many of you don’t know that even the residence of the Speaker was almost sold to the private sector. Actually, it was given out. It was when they went to register that the Lands Commission identified that that was the residence of the Speaker. Luckily, I was inside, so it was saved,” he stated.

    However, some tabloids in their reportage have asserted that the Speaker’s residence was indeed sold.

    The Lands Commission, in response, has denied that any such transaction occurred.

    In a press statement dated November 20 and signed by Acting Executive Director, Benjamin Arthur, the Commission explained that the land in question was acquired in 1920 by a Certificate of Title, dated 7th June, 1920 for Government services.

    Since 2003, the land has always been used as the official residence of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament.

    By an application dated 15th November, 2022, and numbered PS/LS/002/12/22, Parliamentary Service applied for a Certificate of Allocation to regularise their occupation of the land, which measures approximately 1.66 acres.

    At its sixty-fourth (64th) Regular Meeting held on 22nd December, 2022, the Regional Lands Commission approved the application after all statutory processes, including planning approval from the La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly, had been duly concluded.

    On 14th February, 2023, the Lands Commission said it made an offer of allocation to Parliamentary Service.

    “Parliamentary Service accepted the offer, and after paying the requisite fees, a Certificate of Allocation, dated 28th April, 2023 was issued to Parliamentary Service,” the statement added.

    The Lands Commission therefore noted that it is “unaware of any purported sale of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament’s official residence to a private developer”.

    The Commission has reiterated its commitment to the prudent and efficient management of public lands in the national interest, and promote effective land administration that is anchored on the highest standards of integrity, transparency and candour.

    Lands-CommissionDownload
  • Speaker rejects hosting of post-budget workshop at hotels over economic hardship

    Speaker rejects hosting of post-budget workshop at hotels over economic hardship

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has rejected the use of hotels for the post-budget workshop this year, citing the current financial challenges facing the country.

    This comes after Deputy Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin announced on Friday, November 10, that the workshop would take place at Rock City Hotel, owned by Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong.

    Presenting the business statement for the week, Afenyo-Markin stated, “The usual post-budget workshop would be organised to allow experts to elucidate further on the underpinnings of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government to Hon. Members.

    The workshop is expected to be held from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19th November 2023 at the Rock City Hotel, Kwahu Nkwatia in the Eastern Region.”

    Nevertheless, on Monday, November 13, the Speaker of Parliament voiced reservations about the situation, highlighting public opposition to placing an extra financial burden on the state coffers.

    He clarified that the decision to use Rock City as the venue for the post-budget review was not made by the House.

    Additionally, he mentioned that while both Volta Serene and Rock City had submitted their invoices, Rock City’s cost was considerably high, leading him to reject it.

    “I believe that democracy has finally decided and the people have prevailed on their representatives to decide that this year’s post-budget workshop be held here in parliament.

    “Reporting on Saturday early in the morning, we will use the floor of the house as the main conference,” he said.

  • Prosecution of Ato Forson in ambulance case is merely a risky gamble – Alban Bagbin

    Prosecution of Ato Forson in ambulance case is merely a risky gamble – Alban Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has characterized the ongoing ambulance case trial and the prosecution of the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as a form of ‘persecution.’

    In his view, this represents a risky undertaking by the government, one that may or may not yield success. While the Speaker does not condone violations of Ghanaian laws, he advocates for their equitable application rather than selectively targeting political adversaries.

    Mr. Bagbin shared these remarks during his visit to the family of the late former Majority Leader, Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjepong, to express his condolences on Thursday, October 19.

    “The Minority Leader, unfortunately, is being persecuted so on a number of these occasions he can’t be with us because he is appearing in court, as of now, he is in court being tried. It is not that we don’t want the rule of law to apply, we all want it to apply, but where prosecution is just a gamble, ‘I may win or I may not win, but let me do it’, I will not prescribe that for any politician because as a leader you always have to take the risk, you could get it right, you could get it catastrophically wrong.”

    Speaker Bagbin

    “Could you be prosecuted because of that? Then there will be tribulation, nobody will have the courage to come out boldly and take decisions where things are really hard.”

    “These are some of the things that we have to take on board as we continue to work together in Ghana. It happens all over the world, it is not only in Ghana, these things happen worldwide, you can go to the UK and, the US, and they don’t go into prosecution, there are other ways of handling these things. He has been absent the day we were going to President Kufuor’s place he was in court, and today too he is in court.”

    In the meantime, the former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, appeared in court on Thursday, October 19, to provide testimony on behalf of the defendants.

    During his appearance at the Economic and Financial Court in Accra, he confirmed that he had granted full authorization to his then Deputy, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to correspond with the Bank of Ghana.

    This correspondence aimed to request the establishment of Letters of Credit in favor of Big Sea General Trading Ltd of Dubai, for the procurement of 30 ambulances.

    Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper

    During his testimony in the case, Mr. Terkper informed the Court that the authorization for the accused to initiate the request for Letters of Credit (LCs) was granted during a special management meeting that he presided over at the Finance Ministry.

    He explained that this directive was issued in response to a legal opinion from the Attorney General and the Ministry’s legal department. The objective was to ensure the execution of a contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea, which involved the supply of 200 ambulances. This measure was taken to prevent the government from incurring a judgment debt in case Big Sea initiated legal action due to substantial delays and breaches of the contract.

    Mr. Terkper refuted claims made by the current Attorney General that Dr. Ato Forson had set up the LCs without proper justification and authorization, stating that such allegations were baseless.

    Background
    Dr. Ato Forson, along with two co-accused individuals, Sylvester Anemana, a former director of the Ministry of Health, and businessman Richard Jakpa, are currently facing trial on charges of alleged financial loss in relation to the procurement of ambulances during Dr. Forson’s tenure as Deputy Finance Minister.

    The Attorney General asserts that the state incurred a loss of €2.37 million as a result of the purchase of these ambulances, which were later found to be defective. All three defendants have entered pleas of not guilty.

  • Trust building is essential to prevent coups – Bagbin to African Parliaments

    The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged African parliaments and leaders to prioritize the establishment and maintenance of trust among their citizens as a crucial strategy to prevent military coups and instability in various parts of the continent.

    He delivered this message while addressing delegates at the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra, which convened over 600 participants from diverse Commonwealth nations.

    The Speaker praised Ghana’s parliamentary journey and advised leaders across Africa to draw inspiration from it to fortify their commitment to the rule of law and constitutionalism.

    “Our experimentation of parliamentary democracy is now a full-blown feature of our governance architecture. This year, we celebrate thirty years of stable parliamentary democracy. Ours is the safest democracy in the sub-region, which has in recent times developed notoriety for reversing and backsliding on its democratic journey.”

    “Parliaments in the sub-region and in Africa, in particular, must try to understand the reasons for the loss of trust and confidence in the leadership of democratic processes and institutions that has characterized the recent disruptions of constitutional order and constitutionalism in the continent.”

    He stressed the significance of trust and accountability in governance to ensure stability and the preservation of democratic principles in the region.

    “It is important for us to note that these disruptions are often started by civilian regimes themselves, and those that go against the dictates of their own constitutions and the mandate of the people are inviting others to take over. We should be able to pick the signals should there be any and to scare those disruptions away from our democracies in the future.”

  • Young people will be drawn to modernizing agriculture, incorporating technology into farming – Alban Bagbin

    Young people will be drawn to modernizing agriculture, incorporating technology into farming – Alban Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasized that directing resources towards modernizing agriculture and incorporating technology into farming practices can attract more young people to the sector.

    He believes that this approach can generate economic opportunities for rural areas and revolutionize the production and distribution of food.

    During his speech at the 30th anniversary of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America in Atlanta, Georgia, Alban Bagbin asserted that Africa possesses the potential to become the world’s food provider.

    He stated, “If governments direct resources into modernizing agriculture and integrate technology into farming practices, more youth will choose this sector.”

    He emphasized that employing technologies like GPS, sensors, drones, and data analytics can enhance farm productivity by monitoring crop health, increasing yields, and optimizing resources.

    Alban Bagbin also highlighted that the introduction of technology and innovation can effectively address post-harvest losses in agriculture.