Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has rebuffed claims that his period as Minority Leader was characterized by chaos, insisting instead that his leadership was grounded in discipline, strategic planning, and unity within the caucus.
Speaking at the launch of a scholarship scheme for Members of Parliament on Monday, November 17, 2025, Bagbin said perceptions of disorder during his tenure were the result of a highly charged political environment rather than internal dysfunction.
According to him, despite facing some of the country’s most intense political and economic challenges at the time, the Minority Caucus remained focused and coordinated on all parliamentary fronts.
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Bagbin stressed, “What the Minority Leader is doing now is not what I did. He has expressed to you people that he took inspiration from my report. Please go and read my report. I never, on the floor, raised my voice. I never, on the floor, tried to show a certain power, no.”
Bagbin was responding to comments by current Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had suggested that Bagbin’s approach inspired his leadership style. The Speaker described those claims as inaccurate, saying the context and conduct of his leadership were markedly different.
He explained that during his tenure, the caucus operated under immense pressure due to major legislative battles, economic uncertainties, and heightened public expectations. Yet, he maintained, the group stayed united and consistently adopted clear and collective strategies to hold the government accountable.
“I study the political environment and test the pulse of the people, and then you play along with that. I didn’t do what you are doing,” Bagbin added.
Bagbin said disagreements within parliamentary groups are normal and should never be mistaken for dysfunction. Instead, he argued, such debates reflect the vibrancy of Ghana’s democratic processes.
He emphasised the strong collaboration he enjoyed with his leadership team, noting that their ability to manage diverse views significantly contributed to the caucus’s stability and effectiveness.
Reflecting on his journey from Minority Leader to Speaker of Parliament, Bagbin noted that the experience has broadened his understanding of parliamentary democracy and enhanced his capacity to guide the House.
He encouraged the public to appreciate the complexities of parliamentary leadership, stressing that robust debate and internal deliberations are signs of a healthy, functioning democracy—not chaos.