Political analyst Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere has raised concerns over Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to suspend some Members of Parliament following chaotic scenes during an Appointments Committee sitting.
While civil society organizations (CSOs) have welcomed the Speaker’s action as a step toward accountability, Dr. Asante Otchere questions its procedural fairness and long-term implications.
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Speaking on Hot Edition with Alfred Ocansey on February 6, he argued that parliamentary misconduct should be handled through structured mechanisms rather than ad hoc suspensions.
“The appropriate procedure should be followed when addressing parliamentary misconduct. A formal complaint should first be submitted to the committee chairman. If the chairman deems the issue beyond his capacity, it should then be escalated to the Speaker. However, forming a seven-member committee to review such incidents does not make sense,” he stated.
Dr. Asante Otchere warned against selective enforcement of discipline, noting that past instances of misconduct were overlooked. “We must be careful not to create a system where discipline is enforced selectively,” he cautioned.
He acknowledged the need to maintain order in Parliament but insisted that disciplinary measures must be grounded in well-defined protocols to ensure fairness and consistency.
The debate over parliamentary discipline continues, with CSOs advocating for strict sanctions while analysts like Dr Asante Otchere urge reforms that prioritize transparency and due process.
