Governance analyst, Prof. David Abdulai, has urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to adopt a firmer approach in responding to the rising incidents of unruly behaviour among Members of Parliament (MPs). He believes only strong and decisive disciplinary action will deter lawmakers from engaging in conduct that undermines the dignity of the Legislature.
Prof. Abdulai warned that the Speaker’s perceived hesitation to punish misconduct continues to embolden MPs who flout parliamentary norms, turning Ghana’s legislative chamber into what he described as an international embarrassment.
“Recently, the Speaker mentioned he would ‘crack the whip.’ I said then and still maintain that it is not enough to say it; he must actually do it. He needs to make an example of a few MPs who consistently behave in a disorderly manner and seem to think Parliament is a place for rowdiness,” he explained.
“It’s not a street corner. If he fails to take firm action, this behavior will persist, and ultimately the country will suffer. Our law-making process will be disrupted, and we will become the subject of ridicule elsewhere,” he said during an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Prof. Abdulai’s remarks follow dramatic scenes on Tuesday in Parliament when Minority MPs, clad in black clothing to signal protest, brought parliamentary proceedings to a halt.
The MPs held placards bearing inscriptions such as “Where is the National Peace Council?” and “Are Journalists on JDM’s Payroll?” as they confronted the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Djietror, over his decision to transmit a letter to the Electoral Commission declaring the Kpandai constituency seat vacant.
The Minority contended that the seat could not be declared vacant because there are still active legal processes pending appeal at the Court of Appeal and an application for judicial review at the Supreme Court challenging the Tamale High Court’s order for a rerun in Kpandai.
Their protest triggered heated exchanges between the Majority and Minority, especially after the Speaker directed that the day’s business proceeds despite the uproar. The confrontation escalated as MPs from both sides advanced toward the front of the chamber, meeting in the center of the floor in a tense standoff.
The chamber soon descended into chaos, with MPs shouting over one another while the Speaker struggled to restore order. Parliamentary marshals were forced to intervene in an attempt to calm the situation.
Commenting on the dramatic scenes, Prof. Abdulai said the Minority had legitimate avenues to express their disagreement but chose a path that demeaned the institution.
“It’s deeply unfortunate that our Legislature is reduced to this sort of spectacle,” he lamented.
“When you occupy a leadership position especially one that involves serving your nation should be seen as a privilege. If the Minority opposes the planned rerun in Kpandai, there are more constructive and decorous ways of communicating that stance rather than obstructing parliamentary business.”
He stressed that unless leadership within Parliament enforces discipline, such confrontations will continue to mar the reputation of the House and weaken public confidence in Ghana’s democratic processes.