Four MPs face suspension after vetting session descends into chaos

In the wake of a chaotic vetting session in Ghana's Parliament, four MPs have been handed two-week suspensions from parliamentary duties.  

Speaker Alban Bagbin announced the sanctions on Friday, January 31, 2025, following a tumultuous sitting the previous day.

The suspended lawmakers are Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (South Dayi), Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Alhassan Tampuli (Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe).

The disruption occurred immediately after the vetting of the nominee for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe at about 10 pm. 

The disagreement started when the Minority proposed postponing sitting to Friday, citing concerns about the day’s proceedings. 

However, the Majority rejected the proposal, insisting the process should continue. The Majority accused the Ranking Member of spending about three hours on one nominee hence the delay.

The ministerial nominees, specifically the Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had been ushered in and the Clerk to the committee was about to administer the oath to Mr Akandoh.  

A heated argument between Minority and Majority MPs escalated, leading to damage to furniture and microphones.

Speaker Bagbin expressed strong disapproval of the MPs' behaviour, calling it “disgraceful and deeply regrettable.”  He stressed that parliamentary privilege does not cover disorderly conduct and warned that such actions are “rapidly eroding public confidence” in the House.

A seven-member committee, headed by Emmanuel Bedzrah (Ho West), has been tasked with investigating the incident.  Speaker Bagbin has indicated that those found responsible will be required to pay for the damages, potentially through salary deductions.  

He has also called for an assessment of the damage by the Clerk of Parliament and suggested that the matter could be referred to the police.  He also mentioned the possibility of changes to the Appointments Committee.