Speaker’s Powers Are Colossal and Can Impact Your Career – Bagbin Warns MPs

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a strong caution to Members of Parliament (MPs), reminding them of the significant authority vested in the Speaker’s office and the potential consequences of disregarding it.

Addressing the House on Wednesday, June 11, following recent tensions in Parliament, the Speaker underscored both the legal foundation and symbolic weight of his role.

“Honourable Members, I don’t need to remind you of the powers of the Speaker—they are clearly outlined in law. If you read the Parliament Act of 1965 and the Standing Orders of the House, you’ll see these powers are indeed colossal. If fully exercised, they could pose serious implications for the career progression of MPs,” Bagbin stated.

He further invoked a proverbial expression to emphasize the importance of respecting institutional authority:
“Even a dog is obeyed in office. When we sit here, we are not saints, we are not infallible, but there is a reason we are called ‘Right Honourable,’ while you are called simply ‘Honourable.’”

Bagbin reminded the House that the Speaker’s rulings on the floor are final and must be respected. He stressed that while the law provides avenues for challenging a Speaker’s decision, these must be followed through proper procedures, not through confrontation or disorder.

“The Speaker’s position on the floor is always considered right. If that position is wrong, the law provides a structured means to revisit and correct it. So once again, I say—even a dog is obeyed in office. I urge Honourable Members to take this in good faith,” he concluded.

The Speaker’s remarks come in the wake of recent confrontations between the Minority and First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, following the rejection of a statement concerning the ongoing nurses’ strike, which led to heated exchanges and an abrupt adjournment of proceedings.