Head of the legislative body, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has criticized the lawmaker from Sefwi Wiawso, Kwaku Afriyie, for challenging his position.

While announcing the president’s selection of two new individuals for the role of Supreme Court Justices, the Speaker emphasized the necessity for the House to deliberate on legislation to limit the maximum number of judges appointed to the highest court.

Nevertheless, the parliamentarian from Sefwi Wiawso opposed the Speaker’s remark, basing his objection on his role as the representative of his constituency's citizens.

“Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to your chair, this preliminary comment you are making is prejudicial, and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi-Wiawso, it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you have said, thank you,” he remarked.

The remark by the legislator, however, did not please the Speaker, who considered it disrespectful.

In reaction, Speaker Bagbin proclaimed his position as higher than that of the legislator and proceeded to command his prompt ejection from the hall.

“This is a completely rude remark, 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-Wiawso; I represent the whole country. Please, Marshal, take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect,” he ordered.

The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, in response to the Speaker’s directive, offered an apology to Mr. Bagbin on behalf of his associate and the group.

“Speaker, we acknowledge the wisdom you have guided us with 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 all that, you have shown leadership, and it is incumbent upon us as leaders to help you right now. What happened a moment ago was unfortunate,” he told the Speaker.

Yet, Mr. Kwaku Afriyie, in a discussion on Monday night, insisted that he was never inappropriate with his dissent and rejected the apology made for him.

“He (Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh) does not have my permission to apologize to the Speaker. And this one you can put on record: I haven’t done anything wrong; why should I apologize?

“Whatever happens, I will advise myself. I will not be prejudicial in saying some things. That will be very unfortunate on my part, so you let the issue unfold, and then we shall see. So far, I haven’t done anything wrong; I haven’t insulted the Speaker; I haven’t disrespected him; where’s the disrespect?” he stated in an interview on Citi FM.

“Actually, it was with a lot of humility that I acted, and that was why I told the Marshal to let me bow to the chair. I was raised in the palace. That is all. I have not done anything wrong to apologize for,” he added.

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