Commenting on the chaos that erupted in Parliament during the vetting process on January 30, 2025, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, asserted that Parliament must be held to the same standards of accountability and discipline as any other institution.
He emphasized that any form of misconduct should be subject to proper scrutiny, including inquiries, warnings, or even dismissals where necessary.
According to him, no institution, including Parliament, should be exempt from the principles of accountability, transparency, and disciplinary action that govern public service.
Prof. Asare stressed that maintaining order and integrity in parliamentary proceedings is essential for upholding democratic values, adding that failure to address such incidents could erode public trust in the institution.
“If the fracas that occurred in Parliament last night had taken place in a senior high school, there would have been swift consequences. Students involved would face disciplinary action, possible suspensions, and a clear reaffirmation of institutional order.
“If it had happened in any government office, employees involved would likely be subject to inquiries, warnings, or even dismissals for misconduct”.
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
Asare emphasized that, as the highest legislative body in the country, Parliament should not only adhere to the same standards of accountability and discipline as other institutions but should, in fact, hold itself to an even higher standard.
He argued that lawmakers, who are responsible for enacting and upholding the nation’s laws, must lead by example in demonstrating integrity, order, and respect for due process.
Any failure to maintain discipline within the legislative chamber, he noted, undermines the very principles of governance and democracy that Parliament is entrusted to protect.
According to Asare, setting a higher benchmark for parliamentary conduct is crucial in reinforcing public confidence in the institution.
He stressed that this will also ensure that lawmakers remain accountable to the people they serve. “When lawmakers engage in physical altercations, destroy property, and conduct themselves in a manner unbefitting of their office, there must be consequences”.
Unchecked Misconduct Threatens Parliament’s Legitimacy
Furthermore, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare cautioned that failing to address such misconduct would not only damage Parliament’s reputation but also undermine its legitimacy as a serious legislative body.
He stressed that when disorderly behavior goes unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that lawmakers are above the principles of accountability and discipline that apply to other institutions.
This, he warned, could gradually erode public trust in Parliament’s ability to serve as an impartial and effective forum for national deliberation.
Asare further noted that a legislative body that tolerates misconduct risks diminishing its authority and weakening its role in governance.
Accordingly, he urged Parliament to take decisive action in upholding discipline and ensuring that its members conduct themselves in a manner befitting their high office.
“The availability of video evidence makes accountability both easy to enforce and costly to ignore. There is no room for denial, misinterpretation, or political maneuvering to obscure the facts. What transpired is clear for all to see.
“The dignity of Parliament is not self-declared. It is earned through adherence to decorum, fairness, and the rule of law”.
Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare
The democracy expert emphasized that for Parliament to earn the respect of citizens, it must first uphold its own integrity by ensuring that those responsible for such disorder face appropriate consequences.
This, he indicated will help with reinforcing discipline and accountability within the institution. “There can be no justification for selective enforcement of discipline”.
Asare stressed that immediate and decisive action is necessary to restore order in Parliament and reinforce the principle that the legislative chamber is meant for constructive and reasoned debate, not disorder and chaos.
He emphasized that failure to address such misconduct promptly would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the credibility and authority of the House.
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