Members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament on Tuesday evening staged a walkout in solidarity with the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Abu Jinapor, after Speaker Alban Bagbin ordered the Parliamentary Marshal to remove him from the Chamber.
The incident followed a disagreement over Mr Jinapor’s allegation on the floor of the House that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for GH¢50,000.
Speaker Bagbin directed the Damongo MP to withdraw the claim, describing it as unsubstantiated and insisting that he provide evidence before making such an allegation in Parliament.
Although the Speaker assured Mr Jinapor that he would be given the opportunity to raise the matter if he presented supporting evidence, the Ranking Member initially declined to withdraw his statement.
Following his refusal, Mr Bagbin instructed the Marshal to escort him out of the Chamber. Mr Jinapor was subsequently seen packing his books and leaving the parliamentary proceedings.
In a show of solidarity, other Minority MPs also walked out of the Chamber, bringing a dramatic turn to the evening’s sitting.
The incident has brought renewed attention to allegations surrounding the sale of Ghanaian diplomatic passports and the parliamentary debate over the issue.
