Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has served warning to Members of Parliament who may misconduct themselves in the course of their duties.
During sitting in January 2025 before the House went on recess, some incidents of chaos and disorderliness were recorded which brought the House into disrepute.
Alban Bagbin said he was “saddened” by such occurrences.
In his opening remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, May 27 after the House had resume from recess, the Speaker cautioned that the Chamber must “be a model of public service, not a theatre for showmanship.”
He declared that in the new sitting of the House, no misconduct will go unpunished.
“Let me be unambiguous: no misconduct or crime will go unpunished. Members must conduct themselves with dignity. The business of this House is too important to be derailed by conduct that serves no public purpose.
“Debates must be firm but civil. Differences must be handled with principle, and reason, not violence and emotion. The people expect intelligence, not insults. They expect substance, not spectacle,” he stated.
Alban Bagbin reiterated his reserve to be stricter in the enforcing the standing orders of the House, declaring that “the honeymoon with the rules is over.”
“We will not allow disorder, absenteeism, or procedural shortcuts to become the norm. Those who wish to be heard must first be present. Those who seek the floor must respect the House,” he noted.
Bagbin urged MPs to ensure effective legislature by showing discipline, presence, preparation, and respect for parliamentary procedure and strengthen the legacy of the House.
He advised the new MPs to show effectiveness at their committee level rather than display visibility by being caught up in headlines and the drama of plenary.
Bagbin said in doing so, their legislation will be sharpened, oversight is enforced, and they will execute the real work of Parliament.
“To our newer colleagues, let me speak without any equivocation. It is easy to be caught up in the visibility of the chamber: the cameras, the headlines, the drama of plenary.
“But the real test of your effectiveness lies backstage, in your committee work. Committee participation is foundational to all we do here,” he said.
