Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the recent ministerial vetting chaos
The Chairman of the ad hoc committee investigating the recent chaos that erupted in Parliament during the vetting of some ministerial nominees, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has stated that Alban Bagbin has given the committee a timeline of 10 days to complete its work.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps on Thursday, February 6, 2025, he stated that the committee will resume work on Friday, February 7, 2025.
“The Speaker has given us a deadline of 10 days to complete our reports and report the same to the House. So, tomorrow we are inviting all of you to join us to continue,” he noted.
Background:
On Thursday, January 30, an altercation broke out during the vetting of Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The Minority Caucus accused the Majority Caucus of breaching an agreement to vet only four nominees for the day, which led to heated exchanges.
As tensions escalated, physical confrontations ensued, resulting in the destruction of microphones and furniture, as well as the overturning of the vetting table.
In response to the disorder, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, suspended four Members of Parliament for two weeks. The suspended MPs were Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP, Nsawam/Adoagyiri), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi), Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NPP), Weija-Gbawe).
A seven-member parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, was formed the Speaker to begin public hearings on February 5, 2025, to investigate the MPs’ conduct during the vetting session conducted by the Appointments Committee.
The committee is expected to bring transparency to the events that unfolded during the chaotic vetting process.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lifted the suspension on the four MPs.
JKB/AE
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