Former Railway Minister and Former MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, has condemn Speaker Alban Bagbin’s earlier decision to suspend four Members of Parliament, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of parliamentary procedures.
Speaking on Focus on ABC with Joshua N.K Ayira on Thursday, February 6, Ghartey argued that while he condemns the recent violent scenes in Parliament, suspending MPs was not within the Speaker’s powers.
“Violence has now gone into the committee rooms, which is very bad,” he admitted, but maintained, “Neither the constitution nor the standing orders give us such powers.”
He insisted that the matter should have been referred to the yet-to-be-established Privileges Committee.
He argued that the MPs deserved to be heard first before any sanctions was taken against them.
Ghartey further welcomed the decision to vacate the suspension, emphasizing that it was a serious procedural mistake.
“I totally disagree, and I am glad that it has been vacated. I think that it was an error. But right now, what is left is crucial, and the committee should do its work and come out with its report,” he stated.
He called for the immediate establishment of the Privileges Committee and the Appointments Committee to handle issues of misconduct and ensure order in Parliament.
“Because immediately Parliament starts sitting, somebody can make contempt of Parliament,” he warned.
Following intense public backlash and legal concerns raised by governance experts and legal practitioners, Speaker Bagbin has lifted the suspension of the four MPs. The move also came after both the Majority Leader and Minority Leader appealed to him to reconsider the decision.
