Traditional rulers of the Anlo Kingdom in the Volta Region have formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, seeking his intervention in identifying the Member of Parliament (MP) responsible for verbally attacking Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey-Korle.
The chiefs have expressed deep concern over the incident, which they describe as a serious affront to the dignity of Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings and an attack on the memory of her late father, former President Jerry John Rawlings. In their petition, they have urged the Speaker to investigate the matter and reveal the identity of the MP who made the offensive remarks.
The verbal assault took place during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, when a male voice was heard shouting, “Daughter of a murderer, sit down! Daughter of a murderer, sit down!” The outburst occurred while Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin was addressing the House, calling for calm as tensions flared during discussions about the 60th anniversary of the death of Joseph Boakye Danquah, a prominent political figure in Ghana’s history.
Following the incident, two MPs were initially suspected of making the statement but later denied any involvement. As a result, the Anlo traditional authorities have set a deadline of February 10 for the Speaker to assist in identifying the culprit. They have emphasized that once the identity of the MP is established, they will determine their next course of action.
The chiefs view the remarks as not only disrespectful to Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings but also as an attempt to tarnish the legacy of her late father, who played a significant role in Ghana’s political history. They argue that such conduct is unbecoming of a legislator and sets a dangerous precedent for parliamentary discourse.
The petition from the Anlo traditional rulers has sparked widespread reactions from the public, with many calling for accountability and decorum within the country’s legislative body. Some political analysts have also weighed in, stating that the incident underscores the need for Parliament to enforce stricter rules on conduct and disciplinary measures against MPs who engage in personal attacks.
Meanwhile, supporters of Dr. Agyemang-Rawlings have condemned the attack, describing it as an act of political provocation aimed at undermining her credibility. Others have also called on the leadership of Parliament to ensure that such behavior is not repeated, as it could erode public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has yet to respond publicly to the petition, but many expect that Parliament will take steps to investigate the matter. If the identity of the MP is revealed, it could lead to further actions, including possible sanctions or demands for a public apology.
As the deadline set by the Anlo chiefs approaches, all eyes remain on Parliament to see how the Speaker and other parliamentary leaders will handle the situation. The outcome of this petition could set a precedent for addressing misconduct and maintaining decorum in Ghana’s legislative chamber.
