Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for divine intervention to restore order and discipline in the legislative chamber, citing persistent disorder among Members of Parliament (MPs).

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Speaking at a breakfast prayer meeting, he announced plans to hold the next annual prayer session within the parliamentary chamber itself, hoping to exorcise any disruptive influences affecting lawmakers. His remarks follow recent chaos during an Appointments Committee sitting, which he believes is symptomatic of a deeper issue.

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Bagbin expressed his concern over the stark contrast in MPs' behavior, observing that while they act respectfully in private settings, their conduct in the chamber often descends into turmoil.

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"I keep wondering, what is inside them?" he questioned. "The great men and women of the gospel will testify that when they are in church, they behave differently, but in Parliament, it's a whole different story. If this is the culture of politics, then we truly need God’s intervention."

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The Speaker also noted a troubling pattern where chaos erupts whenever his deputies preside over proceedings, a situation that raises further concerns about discipline and impartiality in the House.

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"I often wonder why there is trouble when I’m absent," he stated. "Just last week, when I handed over to my second deputy speaker, chaos erupted almost immediately. Members were on their feet, singing and shouting. I was in my office, unsure whether to rush back and take over, but I held back to avoid disrupting leadership."

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Reflecting on the matter, he said, "I refrained from returning immediately because that would not demonstrate leadership. Instead, I chose to watch what unfolded and reflect on why this keeps happening."

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Bagbin emphasized the importance of impartiality in presiding over parliamentary affairs, pointing out that Ghana’s decision to have a Speaker who is not an MP was intentional.

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"There’s a reason why this country made the decision that the Speaker should not be a Member of Parliament. If the person presiding can vote, it creates bias, leading to disorder. That's why deputies, when they take the chair, act the way they do."

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He concluded with a call for change, stressing that restoring order and unity in Parliament requires a shift in approach, and above all, divine intervention.

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"We need to restore order and unity in Parliament, but that requires a change, and I believe divine intervention is necessary."

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