Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political scientist at the University of Ghana, has backed Speaker Bagbin's referral of three Members of Parliament to the Privileges Committee for missing Parliament for more than 15 days without permission.
The Speaker's decision, according to Prof. Gyampo, is in accordance with Parliament's rules and standing orders, as the MPs have violated Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution and Standing Order 16 of the House.
Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya; Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central; and Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central
Prof. Gyampo told Newsnight on Wednesday that the MPs accused of the offence must be given the opportunity to defend themselves and should appear before the Privileges Committee.
He clarified that the Committee is not a "kangaroo" court and that this impression should not be given.
"We are human beings, and I'm sure they'd be able to explain themselves to the members of that committee if they could persuade them." It's not a kangaroo court, so we shouldn't give the notion that just because a case is sent to the privileges committee, seats would be lost immediately. "I believe there will be arguments, counter-arguments, and defenses here and there, and at the end of the day, whomever has the better argument will win," he stated.