The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has rendered a formal apology to the Lordships, Ladyships and honourable Members of the Judiciary over certain comments he describes as discourteous during the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
In a formal communication on the floor of the House today, the Speaker noted that his attention was brought to certain comments and conducts of some Members which appears discourteous and disrespectful to distinguished members of the Judiciary in attendance during the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee.
“Such conducts though not representative of the collective will of Parliament is regrettable and inconsistent with the decorum expected of members” the Speaker noted.
The Speaker noted that the Standing Orders enjoins Members to maintain order and decorum in the House and at Committee sittings, stressing that Members must refrain from the use of offensive, insulting and unbecoming language.
He said “the proceedings must always reflect the dignity and integrity of Parliament as a key organ of the State”.
According to the Speaker, the Judiciary is an arm of Government and Parliament must always conduct itself with respect for the other branches, particularly the Judiciary, whose independence is enshrined in Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution. He reminded Members that the separation of powers is not a suggestion but a constitutional command that ensures balance, accountability and respect among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
The Speaker later directed the leadership of the Appointments Committee to ensure that all future proceedings are conducted with the highest standards of civility, objectivity and institutional regard.
He assured the House that he will comeback to address the issue of decency, discipline and decorum with a hammer and not a gavel.
It would be recalled that during the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee yesterday Monday 10th November, there was heated disagreement between the Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga and the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin who later led his members to protest and register their vote against the nominee over pending cases at the court and walked out of the Appointments Committee hearing.
