Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for divine intervention to address what he described as the disruptive conduct among Members of Parliament (MPs).
Speaking at a breakfast prayer meeting, Bagbin announced plans to hold the next annual prayer session within Parliament’s chamber in an effort to “exorcise any spirit of disorder” influencing MPs’ behaviour.
His remarks follow a series of chaotic scenes at recent parliamentary sittings, including a particularly turbulent meeting of the Appointments Committee.
Mr Bagbin expressed his frustration with what he sees as a stark contrast in MPs’ behavior in private versus in the chamber.
While MPs are often respectful in private meetings, their conduct in Parliament has become increasingly disorderly.
“I keep wondering, what is inside them?” Bagbin said. “The great men and women of the gospel will testify that when they are in church, they behave differently, but in Parliament, it’s a whole different story. If this is the culture of politics, then we truly need God’s intervention.”
The Speaker also questioned the frequent disruptions during sittings, particularly when his deputies are in charge.
He recounted how, just last week, a session quickly descended into chaos when he handed over proceedings to his second deputy.
MPs were reportedly on their feet, singing and shouting, prompting Bagbin to reflect on why such turmoil unfolds in his absence.
“I often wonder why there is trouble when I’m absent,” Bagbin explained. “When I’m in the chair, we have order. But when I hand over, the atmosphere changes dramatically. I had to hold back from rushing back to restore order—doing so would have disrupted the leadership flow.”
Mr Bagbin also reiterated the importance of impartiality in the role of Speaker, noting that the decision to separate the Speaker from active membership in Parliament was made to avoid bias. “If the person presiding can vote, it creates a conflict of interest and fuels disorder,” he added.
The Speaker’s remarks underscore his concern over the deepening disunity and disorder in Parliament, and his belief that a cultural shift—possibly divine in nature—is necessary to restore order.
