Ministerial vetting fallout: 4 MPs suspended over chaos - 7-Member committee to investigate

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has suspended four Members of Parliament (MPs) from the sittings of the House for two weeks, starting from yesterday.

The affected MPs are the Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamakpor; the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annor-Dompreh; the MP for Gushiegu, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, and the MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

The Speaker said the conduct of the four MPs had seriously undermined the credibility of Parliament and urgent punitive action had to be taken against them.

Seven-member committee

Reading a communication in respect of happenings at the Appointments Committee last Thursday and yesterday, Mr Bagbin also constituted a seven-member special committee to conduct a full-scale investigation into violent confrontations among MPs during confirmation hearing.

He said the committee shall identify all members involved in the disorder and submit its report with findings and recommendations within 10 days from yesterday.

“Any member found culpable shall face the appropriate disciplinary measures as prescribed by the 1992 Constitution, the Parliament Act of 1965 and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” he said.

The committee, chaired by the MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has other members as the MP for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi; MP for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui; MP for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare; MP for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings; MP for Dormaa West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, and MP for Lawra, Bede Anwataazuma Ziedeng. 

Surcharge violent MPs

The Speaker also directed the Clerk-to-Parliament to undertake a full assessment of all damage caused within the Committee Room and parliamentary precincts as a result of the misconduct of the members.

“Not a single pesewa of public funds shall be used to repair or replace any damaged property. Instead, members found responsible shall be surcharged for the full cost of repairs and replacement, with deductions made from their emoluments, including the salaries of members, if necessary.

“In pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, I further direct the Clerk-to-Parliament to formally lodge a complaint with the Ghana Police Service to conduct a full criminal investigation into the matter for appropriate action,” he said. 

Reconstitution of committee

In a bid to stop recurrence of misconduct, Mr Bagbin called for an immediate meeting of the Committee of Selection yesterday to reconstitute the Appointments Committee as a matter of urgency.

He said such a meeting would help to set up the Standing Orders Committee to reconsider a revision of the rules for the assessment of nominees for the consideration and approval by the House. 

‘I’m shocked’

The Speaker said he was so shocked and scandalised at what he saw and heard through various media outlets at the sittings of the Appointments Committee.

He said he read the views and reports of the media as to what took place at the said sittings of the committee, stressing that the outrage of the public and the people MPs represented and served was apt and understandable.

In his view, what should have been a solemn exercise in parliamentary scrutiny degenerated into an appalling display of chaos and lawlessness, bringing the House into disrepute before the entire world.

“What transpired was not just a gross affront to the dignity of Parliament, but also a blatant contempt of the House,” he said.

“This further aggravates the already existing low level of trust of Parliament and parliamentarians,” he added. 

Unacceptable behaviour

The Speaker said such behaviour of MPs was utterly unacceptable and a direct affront to the dignity of the House.

“The actions of those involved had sullied the image of Parliament and also betrayed the trust of the Ghanaian people, whose expectations of leadership, decorum and responsible conduct had been callously disregarded.

“The Parliament of Ghana is expected to stand as the foremost institution of democracy, entrusted with the solemn duty of upholding the principles of good governance, integrity and selfless public service.

“Yet, the events that transpired during the Appointments Committee hearing yesterday have gravely undermined these ideals,” Mr Bagbin said.

The Speaker said those incidents represented a new low in parliamentary conduct and was particularly egregious given its timing and recurrence.

“It is unconscionable that members who are supposed to be leaders elected to serve as representatives of the people would engage in violent confrontations in a setting that demands the highest levels of maturity, emotional intelligence, and statesmanship.

He said it was deeply troubling that it was the third time in as many years that such an incident had occurred within the precincts of Parliament.

Each time, he said, public outrage had been met with empty apologies and no real change in conduct.

“This House must acknowledge that it is rapidly eroding public confidence in Ghana’s democracy and that such conduct, if not decisively addressed, will have grave consequences for the credibility of Parliament and the future of democracy in our dear nation.

“Even more alarming is the involvement of some senior members of the House and members in leadership, individuals who ought to embody the principles of leadership and discipline.

“Their participation in this deplorable spectacle raises serious questions about their fitness to lead and their commitment to upholding the values of Parliament,” he said.