The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has warned of serious consequences for the country's democratic future following Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin's decision to suspend four lawmakers after the chaotic scenes during the ministerial vetting.

According to Oppong Nkrumah, Bagbin’s decision to suspend the four MPs sets a dangerous precedent for both the legislature and the country, accusing the Speaker of failing to act in accordance with established laws.

Speaking on Net2 TV on Monday, February 3, 2025, he suggested that allowing the suspension to stand could potentially pave the way for potential abuse of power, which future Speakers of Parliament might weaponize to settle scores, pursue personal vendettas, or make decisions that favor their own side.

“We are a nation of laws, not of men. We operate based on laws, and the reason the decision to suspend the MPs should not be accepted is that it opens the door for potential abuse of power. Such a decision could be used to suspend lawmakers over trivial matters, potentially to favor a particular government or to settle personal vendettas within the House.

“It will be a bad precedent which is why this decision must not stand. It is not the Speaker’s right to make such a decision. He is not a parliamentarian but just serving as a referee,” he warned.

The former Minister of Works and Housing explained that the Speaker is authorised by law to form a Privileges Committee and refer the guilty parties to the committee for investigation and subsequent sanctions.

However, Oppong Nkrumah emphasised that Bagbin acted in contradiction to the laws by exercising his powers to both punish the lawmakers and suspend them, without forming the Privileges Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the misconduct of lawmakers.

He has expressed his disapproval of the turn of events, strongly opposing the suspension.

“All we are asking is for him to allow the laws to take their course. As it stands, the Speaker has not formed a Privileges Committee. Instead, he has, at his own discretion, created an ad hoc committee and appointed members to it.

“This is not the proper procedure in Parliament. We have guidelines that state the leaders from both caucuses must be consulted. Once that is done, the leaders are to select members from their respective sides to form the committee, but the Speaker acted unilaterally, without following this process,” he explained.

He added, “As if that were not enough, he went ahead to prescribe punishments, demanding that the four suspended MPs bear the cost of the damaged equipment during the brawl. The law does not grant him the authority to do so. It is within the power of the committee, not the Speaker, to prescribe sanctions.”

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus has rejected the Speaker's decision to suspend the four MPs, urging him to reverse his decision.

MAG/EK

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