Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has addressed long-standing misconceptions about the role of Members of Parliament (MPs), emphasizing that their primary duties extend beyond party allegiance.
In an official communication to the House on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Speaker Bagbin clarified that MPs are not merely agents of their political parties but are duty-bound to prioritize the interests of their constituents and the Republic of Ghana.
The Speaker underscored a prevalent misunderstanding, even among MPs themselves, that members must always follow party directives. He dismissed this notion, emphasizing the oath MPs take to serve the nation.
“You are the Honourable Member for your constituency, and this House relies on you to give voice to the needs and concerns of your people. If you fail to represent their interests, you risk rejection by your voters at the next election, no matter how popular you may be within your party,” he said.
Bagbin reiterated that MPs are formally recognized by their constituencies and not their political parties, as captured in the Standing Orders of Parliament.
Elaborating on the multifaceted nature of an MP’s responsibilities, the Speaker identified three primary roles: representing their political parties, their constituencies, and serving as public officers sworn to uphold the Republic’s interests.
“Your party identity is a vital part of your career as a Member of Parliament. However, you are not merely an agent of your party. You have sworn an oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Ghana, and it is the Republic, through taxpayers, that pays and resources you,” he noted.
He cautioned MPs against prioritizing party interests over national and constituency needs, reminding them of their obligations to all constituents, not just party members.
The Speaker emphasized Parliament’s indispensable role in Ghana’s democratic governance, describing it as the “seat and heartbeat” of the nation’s democracy.
“Too many Ghanaians, including MPs, often take this great institution for granted, treating it as secondary to the executive or judiciary. This fact should serve as a constant reminder to you of how indispensable this body is to the legitimacy, quality, and success of our democracy,” Bagbin observed.
He contrasted Parliament’s inclusive nature with the executive, which he described as “structurally a single-party branch,” and the judiciary, which is “non-partisan.”
Parliament, he explained, remains the only institution where every community in the nation is equally represented.
“This House symbolizes the diversity, unity, and equality of all the peoples and communities that constitute Ghana and her democracy,” Bagbin added.
The Speaker stressed the unique challenges and opportunities of the 9th Parliament, which he described as having a “radically different composition and party alignment” following the recent general elections.
The ninth Parliament, he said, marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s democratic journey — one that is as significant for its challenges as it is for its opportunities.
He urged MPs to rise above partisan divisions and work collaboratively to strengthen the institution and Ghana’s democracy.