Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has once again found himself at the centre of controversy—not for a ruling or decision—but for addressing what he described as a growing trend of disrespect in the House, climaxing in false rumours and character attacks.
In a recent parliamentary session marked by chaos and confrontation, Speaker Bagbin narrated how some Members of Parliament attempted to block the enforcement of his directive, forming a human shield around the Honourable Member for Effiduase-Asokore.
Among those obstructing, he pointed out, was a female MP whom he referred to as the “honourable lady.”
“Site were seen forming a physical barrier around the honourable member for Effiduase Asokore… including a lady… This was followed by scenes of heated confrontation, including the hailing of unprintable and offensive language toward the chair,” Bagbin recounted as he addressed the House.
But it was his comments that followed—tinged with sarcasm and frustration—that captured public attention.
“In fact, when I saw the honourable lady, I sympathised with her because… anytime the honourable ladies are getting close to the Speaker, there’s always an allegation that she is the Speaker’s girlfriend,” he said, eliciting laughter and murmurs in the chamber.
Visibly irked, Bagbin rejected the term, clarifying, “We don’t have girls in this House. I even prefer you say ‘Speaker’s woman friend’, not ‘girlfriends’. How many girlfriends can the Speaker take… at this age?”
The Speaker’s statement, though humorous on the surface, underscored a deeper frustration with the way serious matters of governance are often overshadowed by innuendo and baseless accusations.
He took a moment to express gratitude to God for good health and resilience despite the pressures of his office and the allegations that come with public life.
“The Speaker is very grateful to the Almighty God for the blessings. If not… at this age… being among the category you refer to as ‘look no do’…” he trailed off, suggesting that age and dignity should exempt him from such petty insinuations.
