The feedback is that you behave like kindergarten kids – Speaker Bagbin tells MPs

• Posted on July 10, 2024July 10, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has bemoaned the behaviour of legislators following concerns raised by a section of the public.

The Rt. Hon. Speaker has advised that members of the Legislature behave in a manner that will let them be accepted by the public.

This was with regards to perception by some people on the behaviour of the MPs which he says is not the best.

Speaking to the MPs on the floor of Parliament Tuesday, July 09, 2024, the Speaker noted that the feedback he receives from the public is that the “MPs behave like kindergarten kids on the floor.”

“Some of you have complained to me that you meet some of these security personnel and some other officials and when you say ‘I am a member of Parliament’, the response you get is that and so what?“I think that this problem is from how we conduct ourselves. Will they ever tell a judge or a minister ‘and so what’? Why is it that they say that to Members of Parliament? We need to look at it first,” he said in addition.

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The Speaker, thus, cautioned the MPs to be wary of their conduct as leaders of the State in order to win the respect of the people.

He, therefore cautioned parliamentarians to be mindful of their conduct, adding that they should conduct themselves as leaders of the State.

He also implored the lawmakers not to take their duty lightly.

The 8th Parliament of Ghana has witnessed several scuffles and confrontations among members.

These altercations have often stemmed from disagreements over legislative procedures and political tensions between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Notable incidents include physical confrontations during the election of the Speaker of Parliament and heated exchanges during the debate and approval of the 2022 budget.

These events have raised concerns about parliamentary decorum and the effectiveness of the legislature in Ghana.