The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has issued stern warning to Members of Parliament (MPs) on the responsible use of parliamentary privileges, insisting that such protections are not a shield against lawful scrutiny.
Speaking during his opening remarks at the second meeting of the first session of the 9th Parliament, Speaker Bagbin made it clear that Parliament would not be a sanctuary for impunity.
“Parliamentary privilege is not immunity from lawful inquiry. It is not a license to disregard the law. The immunities granted to this House and its members are designed to protect the independence of the legislature, not to obstruct justice,” the Speaker said.
He emphasized that while Parliament would defend its members from politically motivated persecution, it would not protect those attempting to misuse parliamentary privileges to evade legitimate investigations.
“Our position on this is nonnegotiable. Parliament will not stand by while members are subjected to unlawful or politically motivated persecution. But neither will Parliament offer protection to those who seek to misuse its privileges to frustrate legitimate investigations,” he declared.
Bagbin’s comments come amid rising concern over the number of official requests from law enforcement agencies seeking to investigate MPs. He acknowledged the seriousness of these requests, some of which involve conduct predating parliamentary service, while others concern actions taken during tenure.
“These requests must be treated with the seriousness they deserve. They raise questions that touch directly on the standing of this institution and the public’s perception of our collective integrity,” he noted.
The Speaker also addressed public perceptions of Parliament, cautioning MPs that Ghanaians are watching closely and are growing weary of unmet expectations.
He said stressed that the public wants to believe in Parliament, however, they are weary of years of unmet expectations, warning that if the House does not rise to this moment allows pettiness to crowd its principle, Parliament would have failed the expectant public.
He warned that the consequences of legislative inaction or misconduct would reverberate through Ghana’s democratic foundations.
“Ultimately, if Parliament falters, democracy suffers. It is that simple,” he added.
In a direct message to MPs—particularly first-time legislators—Speaker Bagbin stressed that the true test of parliamentary effectiveness lies in committee work, not the theatrics of the plenary chamber.
He reminded members that the real test of their effectiveness lies backstage in the committee work adding, “Do not mistake noise for impact. The real work will not always make the news headlines, but it will always make a difference.”
He urged both new and returning MPs to take committee assignments seriously, lamenting the growing trend of dormant committees and delayed reports.
“We cannot afford to have committees that are dormant. Referrals must be acted upon promptly. Reports must be submitted within time, and recommendations must not be left in limbo,” he warned.
Bagbin stressed that every MP holds their seat through the mandate of their constituents, but this does not excuse neglect of committee responsibilities and stressed that members cannot prioritise their demands above committee work or other parliamentary duties.