The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, ordered the Damongo Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Abu Jinapor, to leave the Chamber.
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.
Before the disagreement, Jinapor had told Parliament that there was compelling evidence that diplomatic passports were being sold, with prices allegedly ranging from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
“As we speak today, there is evidence, unimpeachable evidence, that today diplomatic passports are being sold, Mr Speaker,” he told the House.
He described the alleged practice as a matter requiring urgent attention, warning of the possible consequences for Ghana’s image and relations with the international community.
Jinapor also questioned the circumstances surrounding the issuance of diplomatic passports, stressing that the process was governed by law and required strict adherence to established procedures.
“By law, it is only the Minister who has the authority to grant diplomatic passports in our country,” he said.
The incident turned the parliamentary sitting into a tense affair, with the disagreement over the allegations eventually resulting in the Damongo MP’s removal from the Chamber and a solidarity walkout by the Minority.
In related news, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the United States to strengthen its verification procedures for Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders, alleging that some passports may have been issued to individuals whose official positions do not qualify them for such documents.
In a letter dated October 30, 2026, the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, appealed to the US Chargé d’Affaires in Ghana, Rolf Olson, to review six cases involving service passports reportedly approved for individuals linked to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Fisheries Commission.
According to the NPP, the individuals’ positions, as stated in two approval letters issued by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2026, do not correspond with the actual staffing arrangements at the respective institutions.
The party further alleged that some of the positions cited in the documents do not exist.
Watch the video below:
Speaker of Parliament walks Samuel Jinapor out of chamber. https://t.co/YchLF6IpOd
— Akosua Journalist (@Iam_aJournalist) November 3, 2026
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