The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called for a spiritual cleansing of the legislative chamber to improve the conduct of members.
Speaking at the first Speaker’s Breakfast Prayer Meeting of the Ninth Parliament, held in collaboration with the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Bagbin emphasized the need for divine intervention to guide MPs in their duties.
“There may be something inside there that has to be exorcised,” Bagbin said, referring to what he perceives as negative influences affecting parliamentarians’ behaviour.
Spiritual cleansing
“We will not take it for granted. We will get inside there and get it out,” he stressed, assuring that the next prayer meeting should take place within the parliamentary chamber itself to cleanse it of these ‘possessions.’
The event, attended by various religious leaders, eminent clerics, and MPs, focused on the spiritual and moral conduct of the nation’s lawmakers.
Bagbin lamented the disparity between how MPs present themselves privately and how they act publicly in Parliament.
“Where I sit, and these great men and women come to me in private, the way they present themselves is different from what they do in the Chamber of Parliament. I keep thinking, what is inside there?” he remarked, emphasizing that such contradictions need to be addressed.
The Speaker called for MPs to uphold servant leadership, citing the biblical passage from Mark 10:43-45, which states that true greatness is found in serving others: “Whoever aspires to attain greatness among you must become a servant.”
“And whoever seeks to be foremost must assume the role of a servant to all,” he added.
Bagbin encouraged parliamentarians to reflect on their actions, urging them to become role models for future generations of leaders.
He also issued a stern warning to MPs, urging them to consider the legacy they are leaving behind for the youth with their behaviours in the chamber.
“Imagine a future where the youth recount stories of our leadership with disappointment, viewing us as missed opportunities rather than catalysts for change. That vision is not just disheartening; it’s a wake-up call,” he said.
Drawing from the wisdom of former UK Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Bagbin emphasized the significance of youth in nation-building, stating, “The youth of a nation is the structure,” and urged MPs to be conscious of the impact their leadership will have on the nation’s future and strive to lead with integrity and purpose.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24