I’ll not entertain such disrespect’ – Speaker Bagbin sacks Sefwi-Wiawso MP from Parliament
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin on Monday directed the Marshall of Parliament to walk out the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr Kwaku Afriyie over a comment the Speaker said was “rude” and “disrespectful.”
Following the nomination of two justices to the Supreme Court by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Speaker urged the House to look into the issues of the full complement of the Supreme Court when the Appointments Committee presents its report on the nominees to the plenary for consideration.
This was after the Speaker had ruled the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Ellembelle, Emmannuel Armah Kofi Buah of being out of order.
Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso had made a comment, and even though he did not speak into the microphone, the Speaker overheard him.
The Speaker said he was not going to repeat what the member said since he [Speaker] “eavesdropped” and heard it.
“I eavesdropped and a senior member is saying a few things but since he is not saying it into the mic, I won’t be the one saying it”, the Speaker said.
But when the Speaker granted Dr Kwaku Afriyie opportunity to speak, Dr Kwaku Afriyie said it does not lie with the Speaker to make such prejudicial comments.
“Mr Speaker, with all due respect to your chair, this preliminary remarks you are making are prejudicial and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it does not lie in your [Speaker] mouth to remind us of the things that you said. Thank you,” Dr Afriyie said.
In anger, the Speaker ordered the Marshal to take the MP out the Chamber, describing the MP’s comment as “rude” and “disrespectful.”
Mr Bagbin said, “this is a completely rude remarks 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-Wiaswo, I [Bagbin] represent the whole country. Please, Marshall, take him out of the House. Marshall take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect, it lies in my mouth.”
Following that, the Marshall of Parliament walked Dr Kwaku Afriyie out of the Chamber.
Annoh Dompreh
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh was subsequently given the floor by the Speaker and he apologised on behalf of the MP for Sefwi Wiaswo.
“Mr Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided this House, and how we have navigated as a House to this point. And we’ve had moments laced with tension, some tense moments in this House, but in all that, you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us in leadership to help you guide the House. What just happened a moment ago was unfortunate.”
“So, we want to, for and on behalf of the entire caucus and my colleague, we want to render an unqualified apology to you and your office, and we hope that this draw the curtains, and lets bring matters to a close. Infact, we are very sorry, and we apologize sincerely for what happened. So I say this on behalf of the member, and also on behalf of the entire caucus, we are sorry.”
graphic.com.gh
Leave A Comment