The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has apologised to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and the House after withdrawing his description of the Speaker’s decision to recall Parliament as “rude”.
The MP rendered the apology during Parliament’s emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, following a rebuke from Mr Bagbin over comments he made about the recall during a press engagement.
Addressing the House, the Speaker acknowledged that MPs had the right to criticise his decisions but stressed that such criticism must be expressed in a manner that respects the dignity of Parliament and the office of the Speaker.
“A member may criticise the Speaker’s judgment in exercising it, but criticism of the exercise of a constitutional or procedural function should not descend into language which is disrespectful of the office through which that function is exercised,” he said.
Mr Bagbin explained that the recall was undertaken in accordance with Order 58(4) of Parliament’s Standing Orders, following a request by President John Dramani Mahama for the House to consider specific urgent matters.
He noted that although lawmakers were entitled to question decisions and challenge procedures they considered inappropriate, they had a responsibility to protect the integrity of the institutions underpinning Ghana’s democracy.
The Speaker subsequently directed Dr Tiah Mahama to withdraw the word “rude” and apologise to both the House and the Speaker’s office.
In response, the Walewale MP admitted using the expression during a press conference but said he had misunderstood its meaning.
“Even though I thought the meaning to mean sadly and unpleasantly, as my dictionary told me, but I was wrong, Mr Speaker. And I would withdraw that word unreservedly, and I apologise for saying that,” he said.
The exchange formed part of Mr Bagbin’s broader appeal for responsible public discourse, with the Speaker urging political actors to communicate their disagreements without resorting to insults or language that disrespects public institutions.
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