In a shocking turn of events, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has taken decisive action by suspending four Members of Parliament for their involvement in Thursday’s clashes during the Appointments Committee sitting. The suspended MPs include the two whips – Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of the NDC Majority and Frank Annoh-Dompreh of the NPP Minority caucus, as well as the MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and the MP for Gushegu, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, also known as Hassan Tampuli.
Speaker Bagbin did not stop at the suspensions but also set up a seven-member committee led by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, to investigate the incident and submit a report. Additionally, he directed the Clerk to Parliament to file a criminal complaint with the Ghana Police Service.
The chaos erupted right after the vetting of Transport Minister-designate Joseph Bukari Nikpe, with NPP Minority MPs requesting an adjournment due to exhaustion. However, their request was met with resistance from NDC Majority MPs, leading to a heated standoff. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with MPs damaging furniture and equipment, prompting security personnel to intervene.
Speaker Bagbin, addressing the House the next day, expressed his disappointment and condemned the behavior of the MPs, highlighting the negative impact on public confidence. He emphasized the need for emotional intelligence among MPs and called into question the leadership qualities of those involved in the altercation.
Apologizing to the Ghanaian people for the embarrassing incident, Speaker Bagbin assured that such behavior would not be tolerated in the future. He urged all MPs to reflect on the incident and strive for better decision-making in similar situations.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of professionalism and decorum in Parliament. The Speaker’s swift action sends a strong message that such behavior will not be condoned. It is now up to the Members of Parliament to uphold the values of leadership, discipline, and respect for the institution they represent.
