The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has taken swift action following the chaos that erupted among Members of Parliament during the Appointments Committee sitting on Thursday, 30th January 2025. In response to the incident, he has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the matter, with a deadline of submitting a report to the House within ten days.
The committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has been mandated to probe the circumstances surrounding the altercation and provide recommendations for disciplinary action. Speaker Bagbin, speaking in Parliament on Friday, 31st January 2025, expressed his disappointment in the behavior of the MPs involved, citing a lack of emotional intelligence and emphasizing the negative impact on public trust in the institution.
In a public address, Speaker Bagbin apologized to Ghanaians for the disgraceful incident, stating, “I must say I am deeply disappointed by the conduct of members involved in this shameful episode. Their actions have brought disrepute to Parliament and undermined the democratic values we have sworn to uphold.” He further assured the public that such behavior would not be tolerated in the future.
In response to the chaos, the Speaker has suspended four Members of Parliament for their involvement in the 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.
Additionally, Speaker Bagbin has directed the Clerk to Parliament to file a criminal complaint with the Ghana Police Service in light of the incident. The Speaker’s actions underscore the seriousness with which Parliament is addressing the breach of decorum and the need to uphold the integrity of the legislative body.
The chaos erupted following the vetting of Transport Minister-designate Joseph Bukari Nikpe, when NPP Minority MPs called for an adjournment due to exhaustion. However, their request was met with opposition from NDC Majority MPs, leading to a standoff. The situation escalated quickly, with MPs resorting to flipping chairs and damaging parliamentary property. Security personnel were called in to restore order, with over ten police officers deployed to quell the disturbance.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability within Parliament. As the investigation unfolds, Ghanaians are looking to their elected representatives to demonstrate a commitment to upholding democratic values and maintaining decorum in the House. Speaker Bagbin’s decisive actions signal a determination to address the issue head-on and restore public trust in the institution of Parliament.
