The walkout followed a heated disagreement over the Damongo MP’s allegation that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000.
Members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, staged a walkout after Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin ordered the Parliamentary Marshal to escort the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, out of the Chamber.
The incident followed a heated exchange between the Speaker and Mr Jinapor, who is also the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, over his claims that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
Mr Jinapor raised the matter during proceedings and called for an investigation into the alleged transactions, describing the issue as a threat to Ghana’s international reputation and the integrity of its diplomatic documents.
He maintained that he had evidence to support the allegation and argued that the matter required parliamentary attention.
Speaker demands withdrawal of allegation
The Minority MP’s remarks drew an objection from Majority Leader James Agalga, who argued that the allegation suggested criminal conduct and should not be made without supporting evidence.
Mr Agalga urged the Speaker to direct Mr Jinapor to substantiate the claim or withdraw it from the parliamentary record.
Speaker Bagbin subsequently instructed the Damongo MP to withdraw the allegation, assuring him that he could return to the matter through the appropriate parliamentary process once he had evidence.
However, the exchange continued as Mr Jinapor maintained that the claim was already in the public domain and that he had evidence to support it.
Although he eventually indicated his willingness to withdraw the statement and revisit the matter through the proper procedure, the Speaker considered his response insufficient and ordered the Parliamentary Marshal to escort him out.
Mr Bagbin said the MP had failed to comply promptly with his directive.
Minority stages walkout in solidarity
The Speaker’s decision prompted other Minority MPs to leave the Chamber in solidarity with their colleague.
Speaking after the walkout, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin described the Speaker’s action as “harsh, high-handed and mostly unfair”.
He argued that the alleged sale of diplomatic passports was a matter of public interest that deserved parliamentary scrutiny.
Mr Afenyo-Markin suggested that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, could have been invited to address the House, with further investigations considered if necessary.
Passport allegations remain unresolved
The allegations have placed renewed attention on the administration and issuance of Ghanaian diplomatic passports.
Mr Jinapor has called for accountability, while the Speaker has maintained that serious allegations made on the floor of Parliament must be supported by credible evidence.
The reported sale of the passports remains an allegation and has not been established by evidence presented during the parliamentary proceedings.
