The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has extended an unqualified apology to the Judiciary and its esteemed members following a heated exchange during the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Monday, November 10.
Delivering his formal apology on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Bagbin acknowledged that the incident fell short of the standards expected of the nation’s legislative body.
Mr Bagbin emphasised that Parliament must always uphold the highest levels of respect, restraint, and decorum, especially in its interactions with other arms of government.
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Mr Bagbin noted that certain comments and conducts of some members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament amounted to disrespect or discourteous to the Judiciary.
Mr. Bagbin further urged the leadership committee of Parliament to take proactive steps to ensure such lapses do not recur.
The Speaker called on members of Parliament to always conduct themselves with dignity and to safeguard the integrity of parliamentary proceedings.
The Speaker’s apology has been widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of Parliament’s commitment to fostering harmony among the three arms of government—Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
Political observers view the Speaker’s remarks as a sign of mutual respect and collaboration in strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The vetting of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, nominee for Chief Justice, took an unexpected turn during the Appointments Committee’s sitting on Monday, November 10 when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga engaged in a spirited exchange.
What began as procedural remarks by the Minority Leader, who is a Ranking Member of the Committee, quickly escalated into a heated debate over parliamentary rules, judicial independence, and the boundaries of legislative oversight.
After back and forth, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Committee, called for a cocoa break, to calm emotions.
Later, the Minority Caucus, led by its leader Alexander Afenyo- Markin on the Committee, staged a walkout from vetting the nominee for Chief Justice.
GNA
