The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has withdrawn his description of Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to recall the House as “rude” and apologised to both the Speaker and Parliament.
The apology came after Mr Bagbin criticised the MP during Parliament’s emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, following Dr. Tiah Mahama’s comments during a press engagement about the recall.
“Even though I thought the meaning to mean sadly and unpleasantly, as my dictionary told me, but I was wrong, Speaker. And I would withdraw that word unreservedly, and I apologise for saying that, ” he said.
Mr Bagbin said MPs had the right to criticise his decisions but stressed that such criticism should not undermine Parliament’s dignity or the authority of the Speaker’s office.
“A member may criticise the Speaker’s judgment in exercising it, but criticism of the exercise of a constitutional or procedural function should not descend into language which is disrespectful of the office through which that function is exercised,” he said.
The Speaker explained that the recall was conducted under Order 58(4) of Parliament’s Standing Orders, following a request from President John Dramani Mahama for the House to consider specified urgent matters.
He said MPs were free to question decisions and challenge procedures they believed were wrong, but maintained that such disagreements should be expressed in a manner that does not diminish the institutions underpinning Ghana’s democratic system.
Mr Bagbin subsequently directed Dr. Tiah Mahama to withdraw the expression and apologise to the House and the Speaker.
In response, the Walewale MP acknowledged using the word during a press conference and said he had misunderstood its meaning.
“Even though I thought the meaning to mean sadly and unpleasantly, as my dictionary told me, but I was wrong, Speaker. And I would withdraw that word unreservedly, and I apologise for saying that,” he said.
The exchange formed part of a broader address by Mr Bagbin on the need for greater responsibility in public discourse.
He urged political actors to voice their disagreements and criticisms without resorting to insults or language that could be viewed as disrespectful to public institutions.
