Politics

Bagbin rejects intimidation claims after Abu Jinapor’s removal from chamber

The Crystal Clear LENS 4 days ago 3 min read

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has defended his authority to enforce parliamentary discipline, declaring that no parliamentary caucus can intimidate him into abandoning decisions he considers to be in the national interest.

His comments followed a walkout by Minority MPs over his decision to remove Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor from the Chamber during a disagreement over allegations that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Mr Bagbin criticised the Minority’s collective decision to leave the Chamber, describing it as an unjustified reaction to his directive against one of its members.

“Please, there is no way Mr Speaker, seated here, can be intimidated by any caucus, and it will not happen. I will do what I believe is right and in the national interest, simple and short,” he stated.

The walkout, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, occurred on Tuesday after the Speaker ordered Mr Jinapor to leave the Chamber following comments he made about the alleged sale of Ghanaian diplomatic passports.

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Mr Bagbin questioned the decision by the Minority to abandon proceedings instead of allowing parliamentary business to continue after the Damongo MP was asked to leave.

“There was actually, from my perspective as the Speaker, no need for the Minority to decide to flout my directive collectively because a member of them had been ordered to be sent out of the House,” he said.

The Speaker further explained that the Minority’s departure without prior notice or an explanation disrupted his plans to seek guidance from the Office of the Clerk on whether Mr Jinapor’s remarks should be removed from the official parliamentary record.

“That was completely wrong and because they left without notice, without a word, I could not even follow up to call on the Office of the Clerk to expunge what he (Mr Jinapor) said,” Mr Bagbin explained.

He added that the incident would be documented in Parliament’s official records.

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The disagreement began when Mr Jinapor, who is the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, alleged that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000.

He called for an investigation into the alleged practice, maintaining that he had credible information to support his claims.

“As we speak today, there is evidence, unimpeachable evidence, that today diplomatic passports are being sold, Mr Speaker,” Mr Jinapor told the House.

His remarks drew objections from Majority Leader James Agalga, who argued that an allegation of such seriousness required supporting evidence.

Mr Agalga urged the Speaker to direct the Damongo MP to substantiate his claims or withdraw them from the parliamentary record.

Mr Jinapor, however, stood by his assertion, telling the House: “Mr Speaker, I have evidence. That allegation is out there.”

The exchange escalated, leading to the Speaker’s directive for Mr Jinapor to leave the Chamber and the subsequent walkout by Minority MPs.

Mr Bagbin has since maintained that his responsibility to uphold parliamentary rules and discipline will not be influenced by pressure from either side of the House.