Kwamena Duncan has strongly criticized the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for ordering the removal of Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, from the House during proceedings on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin described some of Dr. Afriyie’s statements as highly disrespectful, leading him to instruct the Marshal to remove the MP from the chamber. Dr. Afriyie had remarked, “With all due respect to your chair, these preliminary remarks you are making are prejudicial, and I believe that as representing the good people of Sefwi Wiawso, it doesn’t lie in your mouth to remind us of the things that you have said.”
In response, Speaker Bagbin stated, “This is a completely rude remark, and I can send you out of the House. It lies in my authority to do so. I represent the whole country; you represent the good people of Sefwi Wiawso. Please, Marshal, take him out of the House. I will not entertain such disrespect.”
Reacting to the Speaker’s action during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, former Central Region Minister Kwamena Duncan defended Dr. Afriyie, stating that he did not find the MP’s remarks disrespectful.
“That definition of gross disorder…is it the Speaker who makes that definition? And that the point made by Kwaku Afriyie that this doesn’t lie in your mouth, does it constitute gross disorder?” Duncan questioned.
He concluded that the Speaker’s behavior poses “a major threat to democracy.”