Speaker Bagbin Issues Apology to Zanetor Rawlings and to the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle ‘s family, and the Anlo State.
The incident occurred on February 4, when an unidentified male voice shouted, “Daughter of a murderer, sit down!”—a reference to Zanetor’s late father, former President Jerry John Rawlings—amid a heated debate commemorating the 60th anniversary of Joseph Boakye Danquah’s death. Addressing the House, Bagbin condemned the comment as “unwarranted, unjustified, and deeply offensive,” extending his regret to Zanetor, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, and the broader Rawlings family, while emphasizing that such conduct undermines the dignity of Parliament.
WATCH: Speaker Bagbin Issues Apology to Zanetor Rawlings
The Speaker’s apology came alongside the launch of a formal investigation to identify the MP responsible for the outburst, with Bagbin issuing a one-week ultimatum for the culprit to come forward voluntarily or face severe consequences. He described the remark as “dishonourable and unbefitting of a sitting MP,” stressing Parliament’s commitment to constructive debate rooted in mutual respect.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with both Majority and Minority leaders, including Alexander Afenyo-Markin, denouncing the comment. Petitions from the J.J. Rawlings Foundation and the Volta Diaspora Caucus had earlier urged Bagbin to act, highlighting the insult not only to Zanetor but also to the legacy of Jerry John Rawlings, a pivotal figure in Ghana’s democratic history.
