Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has formally apologised to members of the judiciary after a heated exchange between Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during the vetting of President Mahama’s Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. The disagreement prompted the Minority to stage a walkout.
Addressing Parliament, Speaker Bagbin stressed the need for lawmakers to uphold decorum and discipline in both plenary and committee proceedings.
“Honourable members, the standing orders require us to maintain order and decorum in the House and in committee, and to refrain from offensive, insulting, or unbecoming language,” he said, referencing Order 123, Rule 3, which cautions against imputing improper motives or using disrespectful language.
The incident occurred when Mr. Afenyo-Markin described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed nominee,” a comment challenged by Mr. Ayariga as politically motivated. The Minority Leader countered by accusing the Majority of attempting to suppress legitimate parliamentary scrutiny.
Observers note that the tensions partly reflect campaign rhetoric from the NDC during the 2024 elections, which anticipated the replacement of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo—a prediction now realised under the Mahama administration.
Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to mutual respect among the arms of government, citing Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution on judicial independence. He urged the Appointments Committee to ensure that future vettings maintain “the highest standards of civility, objectivity, and institutional respect.”
Concluding, he said:
“On your behalf, I extend our deepest apologies and assurances of continued paramount respect for the judiciary and its esteemed members.”
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