SPEAKER ALBAN BAGBIN APOLOGIZES TO JUDICIARY OVER CONTROVERSIAL APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE SITTING

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has issued a formal apology to the judiciary for the unparliamentary language and conduct displayed by some Members of Parliament during the Appointments Committee sitting on Monday, November 10,2025.

The committee was considering Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination for the position of Chief Justice.

In his apology, Speaker Bagbin reinforced Parliament’s respect for the judiciary as a co-equal arm of government, citing Article 125, clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum and respect in parliamentary proceedings, reminding lawmakers of Standing Order 123 rule 3, which prohibits imputing improper motives to others.

The apology follows a heated exchange between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during the vetting process. The dispute led to the minority walking out of the proceedings.

Speaker Bagbin has directed the leadership of the Appointments Committee to ensure that future proceedings uphold the highest standards of civility, objectivity, and institutional respect.

He warned that stricter enforcement of procedural decorum would follow, stating, “I will come back on this issue of decency, discipline, and decorum—and this time, I am coming with the hammer, not the gavel.”