Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament(MP) Kobina Tahir(KT) Hammond, has criticised Speaker Alban Bagbin over what he says is his posture in the House.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, has accused the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, of undermining the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Hammond argued that the Speaker’s recent actions contribute to a loss of respect for Parliament, asserting that “it is not the MPs but the Speaker who is responsible” for any diminishing regard for the legislative body.
On Thursday, Speaker Bagbin expressed frustration with MPs’ growing habit of seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention on parliamentary issues, which he argued weakens the authority and respect of Parliament. However, K.T. Hammond strongly disagrees with the Speaker’s stance.
“If the Speaker doesn’t respect, he can stay there, but for us, we respect him. He’s the one who doesn’t respect the Presidency and the Judiciary,” Hammond stated. “He should act adamant and see what will happen to him.”
The Trade Minister further claimed that Bagbin’s approach was damaging Parliament’s reputation by “continuing to demonize the Judiciary and making statements against the President.”
This statement follows Speaker Bagbin’s decision to adjourn the House on November 7, citing a lack of business due to the absence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members.
NPP MPs have since voiced dissatisfaction, with Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accusing the Speaker of “supervising chaos” and allowing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to act lawlessly.
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