In Chaos Again—As our lawmakers become brawlers, Ghana’s parliament is a collective shame

Ghana’s Parliament was once again on full display for all the wrong reasons, and the scenes from last night were not just embarrassing — they were dangerous.  

What should have been a moment of measured vetting, scrutiny, and deliberation befitting a democratic institution instead devolved into a battlefield of chaos, leaving citizens to wonder: Are these truly our lawmakers?. 

The recent scuffles, verbal altercations, and outright destruction of parliamentary property paint an unflattering picture of those elected to represent the people. 

Alas, these are our lawmakers. And as they overturned furniture and destroyed microphones, they laid bare a troubling reality: One of Africa’s most stable democracies is watching its legislative branch descend into chaos.

The immediate spark was deceptively mundane: a procedural dispute over extending ministerial vetting sessions past 10 PM for Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. 

But the ensuing melee — which saw members of Parliament destroying microphones, police intervening on the chamber floor, and physical confrontations erupting like wildfire — speaks to a deeper institutional crisis that threatens to undermine Ghana’s democratic foundations. 

It was an unthinkable development for an institution that prides itself on democratic governance.

Parliament has seen an increasingly growing pattern of disorder

Parliament is meant to be the heart of Ghana’s democracy—a sacred space where laws are crafted with wisdom, national issues are debated with intellectual rigour, and the executive branch is held accountable through robust oversight. 

Increasingly, it is becoming an arena for political showmanship, crude displays of power, and moments of national embarrassment. This recent episode is only the latest in a long and troubling pattern.

From the infamous ballot-box brawl of 2021, which necessitated military intervention, to the violent clashes over the e-levy in 2022, decorum in Parliament is quickly becoming a relic of the past. Now, even routine ministerial vetting sessions have become flashpoints of chaos. What hope does Ghana’s democracy have if its highest legislative body cannot even adhere to the most basic principles of governance?

This is not mere parliamentary rough housing — when a nation’s parliament becomes a wrestling ring rather than a forum for reasoned debate, it signals the erosion of the democratic norms that separate functioning republics from failed states. Ghana, long considered West Africa’s democratic success story, now risks joining a troubling regional pattern of institutional decay.

It is telling that the Minority and Majority members could not even agree on a procedural timeline. The disagreement over whether the vetting should extend past 10 p.m. became a flashpoint, leading to disorder. 

If our lawmakers cannot maintain discipline over parliamentary procedures, what confidence should citizens have in their ability to resolve Ghana’s economic woes, healthcare challenges, or national security concerns?

The irony cannot be lost on us — and MPs like Frank Annor Dompreh

Even more ironic is the recent altercation between Majority Chief Whip Frank Annor Dompreh and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emefa Hardcastle. 

What should have been a professional exchange degenerated into a heated verbal dispute. Annoh-Dompreh accused Hardcastle of calling him “silly,” a remark he found deeply offensive and disrespectful. Hardcastle, however, stood her ground, retorting, “My friend, don’t bring yourself; do you think you can bully me here?”

This confrontation, which was caught on video and widely circulated, has further underscored the crumbling decorum within Ghana’s political space. Speaker Alban Bagbin has since summoned Hardcastle for questioning, but the broader issue remains—how can lawmakers command respect when they fail to exhibit it even among their own ranks? 

More troubling still was Annor Dompreh’s subsequent behaviour during Thursday night’s session.

Video footage shows him actively encouraging colleagues to forcefully end the vetting process — the same MP who had earlier protested against perceived disrespect. The irony is stark: those who demand respect seem least inclined to show it.

The cost to our democracy extends across all arms of leadership

Beyond the disgraceful optics, what does this kind of behaviour signal to the average Ghanaian? 

The youth of this country, already disillusioned with leadership, are watching. At a time when economic hardships, unemployment, and governance failures are pushing many to seek opportunities abroad, one would expect Parliament to at least uphold a semblance of professionalism. 

Instead, what they see is that those in whom they have placed their trust are incapable of resolving disputes without resorting to chaos. What moral authority does Parliament have to condemn violence in schools, communities, or political rallies when they themselves engage in it?

Voter participation in Ghana’s elections has experienced a notable decline in recent years. In the 2024 general elections, voter turnout was approximately 61%, a significant drop from the 79% recorded in the 2020 elections.

This behaviour is not just embarrassing—it has real consequences for Ghana’s democracy. International observers and investors are watching. Governance experts are taking notes. The destruction of parliamentary property alone is a financial burden on taxpayers, who must now foot the bill for replacing microphones and repairing damaged furniture. 

Should the national budget now include a ‘repairs and replacements’ line item specifically for parliamentary misconduct?

Ghana has long been regarded as a beacon of democracy in Africa. But democracy is not just about holding elections every four years; it is about strengthening institutions, fostering respect for the rule of law, and ensuring that democratic spaces remain dignified. 

The continued degradation of parliamentary proceedings is an affront to that democratic reputation.

The aftermath of this latest fiasco saw both sides scrambling to justify their actions. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga offered apologies, promising that such behaviour would not be repeated. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin maintained that his side was only defending its right to scrutinize nominees without undue pressure. These justifications, however, ring hollow. 

When lawmakers begin to see Parliament as a stage for physical battles rather than intellectual debate, democracy suffers.

How do we move forward? How do we bring back decorum and respect to Parliament?

The Ghanaian people may not be able to control how their representatives behave once elected, but they can—and must—hold them accountable. The electorate should begin to demand higher standards from those who seek public office. Lawmakers with a track record of misconduct should be rejected at the polls.

Parliament itself must also take decisive action. Any member who engages in physical altercations should face severe sanctions, including suspension or financial penalties. If the public is held to highly punitive standards and institutions such as the police and judiciary can punish errant officers and judges, why should Parliament be exempt?

This might be the most difficult ask of them, but the leadership of both political parties must move beyond empty condemnations and take concrete steps to restore dignity to the chamber. Beyond partisan differences, it is in the interest of both the ruling party and the opposition to maintain the integrity of Parliament. If Ghana’s legislature continues on this path, it risks losing its credibility altogether.

What took place in Parliament is not just a disgrace—it is a reflection of the broader political culture in Ghana. When political leaders normalize hostility, it trickles down into every aspect of governance and society. The time has come for a serious national conversation about leadership, governance, and the kind of politicians we elect.

Ghana deserves better. The people deserve lawmakers who embody dignity, responsibility, and wisdom. If the events of the past week are anything to go by, Parliament has a long way to go before it truly becomes a place worthy of respect. 

Until then, we are left shaking our heads in dismay and resignation, we must ask ourselves not just “Alas, are these our lawmakers, who cannot themselves follow the law?” but more importantly, “Is this the democracy we want to leave for future generations?“