Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has voiced his concerns over the persistent disorder in Ghana’s legislative chamber, suggesting that divine intervention may be the only solution.
Addressing a gathering at a breakfast prayer meeting, he lamented the stark contrast in behaviour exhibited by some Members of Parliament (MPs).
“I keep wondering, what is inside them?” he said. “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.”
Bagbin, who has been at the helm of parliamentary proceedings for years, expressed frustration over the frequent chaos that erupts whenever he is absent from the chamber.
“I often wonder why there is trouble when I’m absent,” he explained. “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.”
His remarks highlight a longstanding issue within Ghana’s Parliament, where partisan clashes and heated confrontations have often overshadowed legislative work.
From physical altercations to loud verbal exchanges, the disorder has sometimes made headlines for the wrong reasons. Bagbin’s decision to stay back and observe rather than intervene immediately was deliberate.
“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.”
Bagbin pointed out a structural issue in parliamentary leadership, emphasizing the rationale behind Ghana’s decision to have a Speaker who is not an elected MP.
“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.”
His observations suggest that the Speaker’s neutrality is meant to provide balance, yet the chamber remains prone to discord. In a striking move, Bagbin announced that the next annual prayer meeting would be held inside Parliament itself—a symbolic attempt to spiritually cleanse the legislative house.
“We need to restore order and unity in Parliament, but that requires a change, and I believe divine intervention is necessary.”
