The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has tendered a formal apology to the Judiciary and the Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, following chaotic exchanges during the latter’s vetting on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Delivering a statement to the House on Tuesday, November 11, Speaker Bagbin expressed regret over the incident and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to upholding mutual respect for the Judiciary as a co-equal arm of government under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
“Parliamentary rules caution members against imputing improper motives or using words that are disrespectful or likely to cause offence. The Standing Orders serve as a reminder that our proceedings must always reflect the dignity and integrity of Parliament as a key organ of state,” he said.
The Speaker emphasised the independence of the Judiciary, stating that it “must not be subjected to control or direction from any person or authority.”
He invoked the doctrine of separation of powers, which mandates the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary to operate with mutual respect and restraint.
“I wish to reaffirm Parliament’s unwavering respect for the Judiciary as a coequal arm of governance under Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution,” he Bagbin added.
He further directed the leadership of the Appointments Committee to ensure that future proceedings uphold the “highest standards of civility, objectivity, and institutional respect.”
The Speaker highlighted Parliament’s long-standing cooperation with the Judiciary and pledged to strengthen ties in service of Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
“On your behalf, I extend our deepest apologies and assurances of Parliament’s continued respect for the Judiciary and its esteemed members,” he stated.
Concluding his address, the Speaker issued a stern warning to MPs to maintain decorum.
“I will come back on this issue of decency, discipline, and decorum—and this time, I am coming with the hammer, not the gavel,” the Speaker declared.