Walewale MP withdraws ‘rude’ comment on Bagbin’s Parliament recall, apologises

The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has retracted his characterization of Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to recall Parliament as "rude" and extended an apology to the Speaker and the House. This came after Speaker Bagbin reprimanded the MP during a parliamentary emergency session on September 29 following remarks made by the MP at a press conference regarding the recall.

The Speaker stated that while Members of Parliament (MPs) were permitted to critique his decisions, such criticism should not result in language that disrespected the Speaker's office or undermined the dignity of Parliament.

Speaker Bagbin explained that the recall was enacted under Order 58(4) of Parliament's Standing Orders in response to a request from President John Dramani Mahama to address urgent issues. He noted that MPs could question decisions and debate procedures they deemed inappropriate, but emphasized that disagreements should be expressed without diminishing the institutions that govern Ghana's democracy.

Consequently, the Speaker requested Dr. Tiah Mahama to withdraw the offensive term and apologize to both the Speaker and the House. In response, Dr. Mahama acknowledged his unintended use of the word and explained that he had misunderstood its context.