Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has emphasised the need for a special prayer session to be held inside the parliamentary chambers, suggesting that an unseen force may be influencing the uncharacteristic conduct of MPs.
In a video shared by Joy News on X on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Bagbin expressed concern over the stark contrast between how parliamentarians behave in private, versus their demeanor within the chamber.
He noted that lawmakers often present themselves differently when they engage with him privately, leading him to question what might be influencing their conducts once they are inside the House.
“The next prayer meeting should be held on the floor of Parliament. There may be something inside there that has to be exorcised. We will not take it for granted. We will get inside there and get it out,” he stated.
The Speaker further indicated that religious leaders often observe a similar transformation in individuals within different environments, emphasising the need for divine intervention in the political space on the general.
“If that is the culture of politics, then we really need God to descend and once again salvage us,” he added.
His comments come at a time when tensions and disorder have characterised parliamentary proceedings, sparking discussions about the need for greater decorum and discipline within the House.
During the recent vetting of the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minority Caucus accused the Majority Caucus of violating an agreement to vet only four nominees for the day, leading to heated exchanges.
Tensions quickly escalated into physical confrontations, resulting in the destruction of microphones and furniture, and the overturning of one of the vetting tables.
In response to the chaos, the Speaker suspended four Members of Parliament for two weeks.
Following pleas from the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, and the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Speaker later lifted the suspension.
The suspended MPs were Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP, Nsawam-Adoagyiri); Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi); Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu); and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NDC, Weija-Gbawe).
Watch the video below:
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for the institution’s next prayer meeting to be held in the chamber to exorcize the spirit of disorder. #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/HwTESzmXde
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) February 11, 2025
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