J.J. Rawlings: Bagbin Issues Ultimatum Over Zanetor Insult, Orders Probe To Find Offending MP

• Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed an investigation to identify the legislator who insulted Klottey Korle MP Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings
• An unnamed person in the chamber of Parliament called Agyeman-Rawlings the daughter of a murderer
• Bagbin has given the mystery offender a one-week ultimatum to own up to the insult delivered on February 4

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed an immediate formal investigation to identify the legislator who targeted the "daughter of a murderer" slur at President Jerry John Rawlings and his daughter, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, during proceedings.

Bagbin has also issued a one-week ultimatum to the Member of Parliament responsible for the slur to own up.

3News reported that Bagbin said the member responsible when found guilty of defamation could be suspended for a period not exceeding nine months or expelled from Parliament.

The speaker also offered an apology to the Rawlings family and the people of Anlo.

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“I advise the member responsible to within the week show honesty and plead than wait for the outcome of investigations.”

“It is regrettable that an honourable member was subjected to an unwarranted, unjustified and deeply offensive reckless remark. I apologise for repeating it. Such conduct is dishonourable, and I strongly condemn it as a behaviour unbefitting of a sitting MP.

Rawlings was a former military leader who ruled the country from 1981 to 1992 as its Head of State.

The insults directed at his daughter are believed to be linked to human rights abuses and killings that occurred under his junta.

Rawlings would later serve as the then democratically elected President of Ghana between 1992 and 2000, after ruling as a military leader from December 31, 1981.

The Greater Accra National Democratic Congress Volta Diaspora Caucus most recently petitioned Bagbin to investigate the incident.

The J.J. Rawlings Foundation also petitioned Parliament to investigate controversial remarks in February.

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"Mr. Speaker, it is disheartening and disturbing when the House that is expected to protect the image and reputation of past leaders of this country who worked hard to maintain and protect institutions like Parliament, receive abuse and offensive behaviour as occurred on Tuesday, February 4, 2025."

About J.J. Rawlings

YEN.com.gh reported that Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, 2020, after reportedly suffering complications from COVID-19.

The former president died less than a month after burying his mother, Victoria Agbotui.

He left behind his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, and four children.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh