The Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has broken his silence after Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, ordered him to walk out of the Chamber following a disagreement over allegations that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being sold for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
Abu Jinapor, in a statement, wrote, “At Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, I raised serious and disturbing allegations concerning the alleged sale of Ghanaian diplomatic passports for amounts ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
In my capacity as Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, I called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to appear before Parliament and account for these allegations.
The Majority Leader objected to my intervention. However, I maintained that allegations of such gravity, already circulating in the public domain, cannot simply be ignored. They have serious implications for Ghana’s international reputation, the integrity of our diplomatic passports and the credibility of our institutions.
As Ranking Member, I consider it my solemn duty to bring such consequential matters before Parliament, without fear or favour. I owe this duty to Ghana, my constituents and the New Patriotic Party.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, subsequently directed me to withdraw the said statement.
I have enormous respect for the Office of the Speaker and for Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin personally. That respect, however, does not diminish my constitutional and parliamentary responsibility to raise matters of grave national concern and demand accountability.
I am deeply grateful to my colleagues on the Minority side who stood firmly with me and walked out in solidarity when the Speaker directed that I be escorted out of the Chamber.
Let me be clear: Respect for parliamentary authority and the pursuit of accountability are not mutually exclusive.
I remain a disciplined, patriotic and respectful Member of Parliament, but equally a proud and committed member of the Mighty Minority, determined to hold the Government accountable, particularly in matters concerning our foreign affairs.
Accountability is non-negotiable!
God bless our homeland Ghana”.
The development followed a heated disagreement over claims that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were allegedly being sold for between US$10,000 and US$50,000.
The confrontation erupted when Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, raised concerns about the alleged sale of the passports and called for a parliamentary investigation into the matter.
Abu Jinapor insisted that there was credible evidence to support the allegations, describing it as a serious issue that could undermine Ghana’s international reputation.
However, his remarks drew an objection from the Majority Leader, James Agalga, who argued that the allegation amounted to an accusation of criminal conduct and therefore required evidence to substantiate it.
Agalga urged Bagbin to direct the Damongo MP to withdraw the claim and have the relevant portion expunged from the parliamentary records.
Speaker Bagbin subsequently directed Jinapor to withdraw the allegation, indicating that he could return to the matter with supporting evidence.
The MP, however, appeared reluctant to comply, leading the Speaker to order the Marshal of Parliament to ensure that he left the Chamber.
In a firm warning, Bagbin told Jinapor: “Marshal, please carry out the orders immediately. Honourable Abu Jinapor, please walk out of this place or you will be taken out.”
Following the directive, Jinapor was seen gathering his books and belongings before leaving the Chamber.
His departure was followed by a walkout by Minority MPs, who left the Chamber in solidarity with their colleague.
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