A Tense Debate Eased by Laughter
On July 18, 2025, Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, used his trademark wit to defuse growing tension in the chamber during a heated discussion over the vacant Akwatia parliamentary seat. With emotions running high following the death of MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, Speaker Alban Bagbin’s humor brought unexpected levity, drawing laughter from both sides of the House.
A Story That United the House
As MPs debated the future of the Akwatia seat, Speaker Bagbin shared a memorable and humorous story to make a point about the importance of confirming death with reliable evidence. In the tale, a man was wrongly declared dead by someone eyeing his wife. A funeral was held, the wife remarried—and then the supposedly deceased man returned. Fearing for his life, he vanished again. The story, filled with irony, resonated with MPs and briefly united the chamber in laughter.
Light Moments Amid Heavy Realities
The Speaker also referenced a real incident from Fomena, where constituents wore campaign T-shirts of a would-be MP even before the deceased was buried. Jokingly, Bagbin warned his own constituents not to act similarly at his funeral, prompting more laughter and easing political tension.
Shifting the Tone to Parliamentary Procedure
Moving from humor to formality, Bagbin addressed the legal protocols around declaring a parliamentary seat vacant. He clarified that Parliament had yet to receive official notice from Ernest Yaw Kumi’s family confirming his passing. Citing Article 112, Clause 5 of the 1992 Constitution, he stressed that only after formal written communication can the Clerk of Parliament notify the Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election.
Bagbin also criticized Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for prematurely announcing the seat vacancy on July 7, 2025. According to the Speaker, such declarations bypass formal procedure and risk undermining the institution’s integrity.
A Walkout Ends the Session
Despite Bagbin’s calming influence, the session ended with the Minority staging a walkout in protest. They viewed the Majority Leader’s remarks on the seat vacancy as insensitive. Though Ernest Yaw Kumi’s passing was a moment of national sorrow, Speaker Alban Bagbin’s humor and procedural firmness helped keep the proceedings grounded and respectful.
For further details, visit the Ghana News Agency.
