The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, sacked Kwaku Afriyie, the MP for Sefwi Wiawso, from the chamber due to a “rude” remark he passed. Bagbin instructed the Marshall of Parliament to escort Afriyie out after he openly challenged the Speaker’s authority regarding initial comments by the MPs on the referral of nominees to the Supreme Court.
Following President Akufo-Addo’s nomination of two justices to the Supreme Court, Bagbin urged the house to consider the full complement of the Supreme Court when the Appointments Committee presents its report on the nominees. According to Parliament monitor Odekro, after the Speaker had conveyed the communication on the appointment of the justices, Afriyie responded to this contentious issue of record.
The Speaker overheard his comments and extended an invitation to Afriyie to address the audience through the microphone during the live broadcast. The Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso took offence at the preliminary statements made by the House Speaker regarding the necessity of amending the constitution to limit the Supreme Court bench.
“I believe that as representative of the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it does not lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you said,” Afriyie said.
That angered Bagbin, who said Afriyie might be the representative of Sefwi Wiawso, but he was also a representative of the country. “You represent the good people of Sefwi-Wiaso, I represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the house. I will not tolerate such disrespect.” Afriyie respectfully bowed and exited the chamber upon the Marshall’s request for his removal.
Additionally, a statement was made by Kwadwo Agyei Darko, former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in which he called on Ghanaians to replace truant Members of Parliament. Darko expressed deep concern over the prevalent absenteeism among MPs in parliament and emphasized the need for remedial action. He suggested that constituents should exercise their voting power in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections to vote out irresponsible MPs as a form of reprimand.
