Rt. Hon. S. K. Alban Bagbin has sacked the Member of Parliament for the Sefwi Wiawso constituency, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, over rude remarks
Rising to his feet after the Speaker had read to the house the letter from H. E. the President about the nominees and their referral to the Appointment Committee, Dr. Afriyie emphatically stated that the preliminary remarks about the judiciary did not lie within the Speaker’s purview to make.
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“With due respect to your chair, this preliminary remarks you’re making about the judiciary, and I believe that as a representative of the good people of Sefwi Wiawso it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you said” he said
However, the Rt. Hon. Speaker rebuked him, saying that it was a rude remark on his comments.
“This is a completely rude remark, and I can send you out because it lies within my authority to do so,” he said. “You represent the people of Sefwi Wiawso; I represent the whole country. Marshal, take him out of the house. I will not tolerate such disrespect!” he ordered.
Background
This incident occurred following the Rt. Hon. Speaker’s comments on the house’s ability to review the full complement of the Supreme Court.
The Speaker, after referring the nominees to the Appointment Committee, had urged them to sit during the recess to consider them so the house could equally consider them in plenary.
“I expect that the committee will sit during the recess to consider these nominees, and any time we resume, we will consider them on the floor of the house to see whether there is any full complement they want to make, to make sure it is maintained,” he called.
According to Bagbin, he was not aware of any full complement; hence, the house is being called on to review the issue of a full complement of the Supreme Court.
“And so, we are being called on through this letter, as a house, to look at the issue of a full complement of the Supreme Court. Should it be 13, 15, 20, 40, or 100? It is for this house to decide, and I urge you to look at this issue during the constitutional reforms or pass legislation to give an upper limit as to how many can be at the Supreme Court,” he urged.
Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, subsequently rendered an apology to the Speaker on behalf of the caucus.
“Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom with which you have guided us, 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 it all, you have shown leadership. It is incumbent upon us, as leaders, to support you. What happened a moment ago was unfortunate.”
“So, I want to, on behalf of the entire caucus and my colleagues, render our apologies to you and your office. We hope that this draws the curtain on the matter. We are very sorry and apologize sincerely for what happened. I say this on behalf of the member and the entire caucus. We are sorry.”
By: Mary Quartey
