Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Kwame Osei Hweree Bempah, has labeled Alban Bagbin as the worst Speaker of Parliament in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

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He criticized Bagbin for becoming increasingly intolerant and lacking objectivity in his role.

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This critique follows an incident on July 22, 2024, when Speaker Bagbin expelled Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the MP for Sefwi Wiawso, from the chamber.

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The expulsion occurred after Dr. Afriyie made a comment deemed rude by Bagbin during a discussion on President Akufo-Addo’s Supreme Court nominations.

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Bagbin, while addressing the House, suggested deciding on the number of justices needed and considering legislation to cap this number.

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This suggestion was met with resistance from Dr. Afriyie, who argued that it was prejudicial. The Speaker's reaction included having the Marshalls remove Dr. Afriyie from the chamber.

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On the Ghana Kasa show on Kasapa 102.5FM/Agoo TV, Kwame Osei Hweree Bempah criticized Bagbin for his perceived loss of objectivity and urged him to adopt a more accommodating approach.

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“I sometimes don’t understand Bagbin. I think his andropause level has shot up too high after becoming the Speaker of Parliament. He has become unpredictable.

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I used to admire him a lot from his days as Minority Leader and Majority Leader. He was very objective. But after becoming Speaker in 2021, he has probably become a power-drunk.

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He’s acting like he got the speaker position by chance. It appears he does not trust himself, so he wants to exert himself as the speaker. At one point, he declared himself the second-most powerful person after the president," he said.

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He continued: “Is Bagbin a demigod? We have seen past speakers, such as the late D.F. Annan and Peter Ala Adjetey, who were very objective. We saw instances where Bagbin, then MP for Nadowli, had heated exchanges with Speakers on the floor of Parliament.

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He has been a very good parliamentarian but the worst Speaker of Parliament. He is the worst we’ve had in the Fourth Republic based on his demeanor.

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Because he’s been the longest-serving MP, he has forgotten that he is not supposed to participate in debates on the floor of the House. He sometimes feels like he’s still an MP,” he added.

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