“I’m Coming with a Hammer, Not a Gavel” — Speaker Bagbin Warns MPs Over Indiscipline and Walkouts
Accra, Ghana –Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament (MPs), vowing to restore discipline, decency, and decorum in the House following a series of chaotic exchanges and partisan walkouts that have marred recent proceedings.
His remarks came in the aftermath of heated confrontations between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin during the vetting of Chief Justice nominee Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, which saw minority MPs stage a dramatic walkout.
“I will come back on this issue of decency, discipline, and decorum and this time, I am coming with a hammer, not a gavel,” Speaker Bagbin declared, his tone firm and deliberate.
The Speaker’s statement, initially seen as a disciplinary threat, was followed by an unreserved apology to the Judiciary for what he called “a breakdown in parliamentary manners” during a process involving one of the highest offices of the land.
In a rare gesture of institutional humility, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged that Parliament had fallen short of expectations, particularly in handling a matter concerning the nation’s judicial leadership.
According to the Speaker, the behavior of some MPs has crossed the line of acceptable parliamentary ethics. He warned that if corrective action is not taken immediately, public confidence in Parliament will continue to erode.
The Speaker’s remarks reflect growing frustration within leadership ranks over the increasing polarization in Parliament, where walkouts, verbal clashes, and interruptions have become commonplace.
Speaker Bagbin’s declaration that he will wield “a hammer, not a gavel” has been widely interpreted as a signal of tougher disciplinary action to come.
This tougher stance aligns with growing public calls for Parliament to restore order and decorum, especially after a week that saw multiple procedural disruptions over the Chief Justice vetting process.
The renewed warning follows days of public criticism after the minority caucus stormed out of the vetting session for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, citing constitutional concerns. The majority side, led by Ayariga, maintained that Parliament was within its rights to proceed, sparking a bitter confrontation between both leaders.
This is not the first time Speaker Bagbin has rebuked MPs for misconduct. In past sittings, he has warned that persistent disrespect for parliamentary norms undermines Ghana’s democracy and weakens public trust in governance institutions.
With tensions running high and the image of Parliament under scrutiny, many are watching closely to see if the Speaker’s latest warning will lead to actual disciplinary measures.
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