Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has issued a terse warning to Members of Parliament (MPs) against misusing their parliamentary privileges to evade legal accountability, while simultaneously condemning an attack on an anti-illegal mining team.
The Speaker addressed a most worrying report detailing the assault on a team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Bronikrom in the Asutifi South constituency. The attack was allegedly incited by the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North constituency, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.
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In a formal communication to the House on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin stressed his commitment to upholding the 1992 Constitution and the Standard Orders of Parliament. He clarified that the privileges and immunities granted to MPs are purely procedural safeguards intended to assist them in their duties, not a blanket defense against the consequences of alleged unlawful actions.
“The report of attacks on the team is most worrying, and I condemn it. Nobody has denied the attack, and we must all condemn it,” the Speaker stated.
Addressing the involvement of the Asutifi North MP, the Speaker confirmed that the member had voluntarily submitted himself to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Mr. Bagbin dispelled claims that Parliament acts to protect its members from accountability, emphasizing that no MP is being shielded from the rule of law. He disclosed that several MPs are currently under investigation and affirmed that his office has never intervened to protect any individual.
The Speaker assured both Ghanaians and security agencies of Parliament’s commitment to the investigative process. “I have instructed the Office of the Clerk and the Legal Services Office to provide all the needed support to the investigation by the Police Service within the framework of the 1992 Constitution, the laws of this country and the Standing Orders of the House.”
The Speaker stressed that parliamentary privileges are not absolute and must be exercised responsibly and strictly in accordance with the laws of the land, warning members of the limits of such protection.