Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned the Minister for Foreign Affairs that he could issue a warrant of arrest if the minister continues to disregard parliamentary summons.
The Speaker’s warning came after a heated exchange in Parliament yesterday, following the unexplained absence of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was scheduled to appear before the House to respond to urgent questions.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, pleaded with the House to reschedule the questions, explaining that attempts to reach the minister had failed.
He suggested that the minister might be outside the country and possibly out of communication range, noting that foreign travel sometimes made it difficult to stay connected.
“It is understandable; he’s the Foreign Affairs Minister. Sometimes he may be in jurisdictions where it’s hard to reach him,” Mr. Ayariga argued, pleading with the House to defer the session to a later date when the minister would be available.
However, the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, sharply rejected the explanation, questioning why the minister had not communicated his absence in advance.
“From last Friday up to now, are you telling me the Foreign Minister is on the moon? What kind of network is he using so that no one can reach him?” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh fumed.
He continued, “This is unacceptable to this House. The Minister must show up. This is the tool we use to hold ministers accountable, and the backlog of unanswered questions is already a serious problem.”
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh also pointed out that other ministers, including the Ministers for Fisheries and Transport, were also absent without clear communication, suggesting that a worrying pattern was developing where ministers were evading parliamentary scrutiny.
While the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza, later informed the House that the Foreign Minister’s return had been delayed by unforeseen official duties, Speaker Bagbin was not convinced.
“The Minister for Foreign Affairs knows the rules. Other ministers who could not appear today followed the right procedure and notified the Clerk and myself. The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not. We will not tolerate this disrespect to the House,” the Speaker declared.
Quoting Standing Order 134, the Speaker reminded members that he has the constitutional authority to issue a summons or even a warrant of arrest for ministers or any individuals who fail to appear before Parliament when duly ordered.
“Let it be known to all – we have these powers, and we will execute them if necessary. The public and the executive must understand that Parliament is not to be taken for granted,” he stated firmly.
The Speaker emphasised that Parliament had often been lenient in enforcing its powers out of respect for democratic cooperation, but warned that continued disregard for the House’s authority would not be tolerated.
Speaker Bagbin finally urged the House to reschedule the Foreign Minister’s appearance at the earliest opportunity, and insisted that he must personally appear to explain his absence.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House