A tense confrontation erupted in Ghana's Parliament on Tuesday, November 3, after Speaker Alban Bagbin ordered the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, out of the chamber. The clash stemmed from Jinapor's explosive allegation that diplomatic passports were being sold for between $10,000 and $50,000, prompting a call for an investigation and triggering a protest walkout by the Minority caucus.
Allegations of passport sales spark heated debate
During a parliamentary discussion on the issuance of diplomatic passports, Mr. Jinapor stood up and claimed he possessed evidence that the travel documents were being sold at a premium. He warned that the practice undermined the integrity of the process overseen by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and urged Parliament to launch an inquiry into the alleged transactions.
Speaker intervenes and orders MP out
Majority Leader James Agalga immediately challenged the claim, demanding that the Damongo MP either produce proof or withdraw the statement. Speaker Bagbin also stepped in, directing Mr. Jinapor to substantiate the allegation or retract it. After an increasingly heated exchange, Jinapor withdrew his claim, but Bagbin still instructed the Marshal of Parliament to escort him from the chamber for failing to comply promptly with the earlier directive.
Minority protest and walkout halt proceedings
The order to remove the MP provoked an immediate protest from the Minority caucus, whose members walked out of the chamber in solidarity with their colleague. The exodus brought parliamentary business to a standstill, exposing deep tensions between the ruling Majority and the opposition over the handling of serious allegations during debate.
Political fallout and oversight implications
The incident has raised questions about the oversight of diplomatic passport issuance and the standards for raising allegations in Parliament. Observers note that the episode may prompt calls for stricter verification procedures and could influence future discussions on transparency within the foreign affairs ministry. The standoff also highlights the fragile balance between holding the government accountable and maintaining decorum in legislative proceedings.