Speaker Declines to Refer Dr. Ayew Afriyie’s Conduct to Privileges Committee Amid Parliamentary Row

By Top Knowledge Media
Published: June 12, 2025

Accra, Ghana – The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has elected not to refer the conduct of Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, MP for Effiduase-Asokore, to the Parliament’s Privileges Committee following a contentious exchange in the House. The decision has sparked significant debate about discipline, parliamentary oversight, and the scope of the Speaker’s authority.

???? What unfolded in Parliament

On July 22, 2024, during debate over President Akufo-Addo’s nomination of Supreme Court justices, Dr. Ayew Afriyie openly challenged the Speaker’s remarks, calling them “prejudicial” and beyond his role ghanasentinel.com+2citinewsroom.com+2graphic.com.gh+2. Speaker Bagbin took exception, branding his interjection as “rude” and ordered marshals to escort Dr. Ayew Afriyie from the chamber graphic.com.gh+1ghanasentinel.com+1.

Tensions intensified when the New Patriotic Party’s Western North branch publicly condemned the action, labelling it as biased and disrespectful to both the MP and constituents of Sefwi-Wiawso ghanasentinel.com+4gna.org.gh+4ghanasentinel.com+4.

Speaker’s rationale and Parliamentary procedure

Under Ghana’s Standing Orders and Parliamentary Acts, the Privileges Committee typically adjudicates cases of contempt or misconduct. However, Speaker Bagbin has discretion in determining what cases merit referral myjoyonline.com+15myjoyonline.com+15ghanasentinel.com+15. In this instance, the Speaker judged that while Dr. Ayew Afriyie’s conduct warranted censure during session, it did not meet the threshold for formal Privileges Committee review.

⚖️ Legal and procedural context

Order 164 empowers the Speaker to refer “any matter” he considers contemptuous to the Privileges Committee reddit.com+2myjoyonline.com+2metrotvonline.com+2. Critics argue that failing to refer controversial conduct erodes parliamentary accountability. However, defenders emphasise the Speaker’s autonomy to maintain decorum without burdening committees unnecessarily.

Stakeholder perspectives

• Speaker’s Office: Maintains the decision was grounded in distinguishing “rudeness” from contempt — a standard insufficient to trigger committee procedures.

• Dr. Ayew Afriyie: Denied disrespect, clarifying he was upholding parliamentary procedure and challenging overreach .

• NPP Western North Secretariat: Condemned the Speaker’s ruling, calling it “unprecedented” and urging the preservation of fairness and institutional neutrality reddit.com+12gna.org.gh+12myjoyonline.com+12.

• Parliamentary experts: Caution against politicising privileges, suggesting ambiguity remains around what constitutes referral-worthy conduct.

???? Why it matters

This incident raises crucial questions:

• Scope of Speaker’s power: How should the discretionary threshold between on-the-spot discipline and referral to committee be defined?

• Precedent for future conduct: Might non-referral signal tolerance for heated, adversarial debate?

• Impact on parliamentary integrity: Can Ghana’s Legislature retain credibility while preserving both order and freedom of expression?

???? Path forward

To address these concerns, Parliament may:

1. Clarify procedures – Define what kind of behavior warrants referral to Privileges Committee.

2. Scale consequences – Develop layered sanctions aligned with varying infractions.

3. Empower oversight – Encourage the use of internal committees to review all incidents, even those resolved in-session.

Conclusion

Speaker Bagbin’s decision not to refer Dr. Ayew Afriyie may reflect a judgment call rather than defiance of procedure. However, the clash highlights deeper fissures in parliamentary governance, revealing the need for more transparent checks and clearer expectations. As Ghana’s democracy evolves, balancing discipline, free speech, and accountability remains an urgent priority.