Speaker sets up 7-member special committee to investigate vetting chaos

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has set up a seven-member committee to probe the chaos which erupted on Thursday, January 30 during vetting.

Alban Bagbin on the floor of Parliament on Friday, January 31, 2025 declared that any member found culpable shall face appropriate disciplinary actions.

The committee will be chaired by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzrah.

“Members found culpable shall bear full cost of repairs with deductions from salaries if necessary,” Bagbin said.

Bagbin further announced the suspension of these Members of Parliament from sittings for two weeks; Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, ⁠Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Alhassan Tampuli and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

Condemning the incident, Bagbin described it as “disgraceful and deeply regrettable,” emphasizing that it undermines the integrity of Parliament.

“Parliamentary privilege does not and will never extend to lawlessness,” he declared, condemning the lack of decorum displayed by members during the heated session.

The Speaker expressed concern over the timing and setting of the chaos, stating: “It is deeply troubling that this is the time that such an incident is happening within the precincts of Parliament.”

Chaos erupted during Parliament’s appointments committee sitting on Thursday, January 30, 2025 when two ministerial nominees were about to be vetted.

During proceedings, the Minority and Majority members clashed over the timing of the vetting process leading to the destruction of some equipment.

The opposition lawmakers had made the point that the vetting of Health Minister-designate Kwabena Akandoh and Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Okudzeto Ablakwa should be shifted forward to Friday, January 31.

Source: 3news.com