Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has strongly condemned the chaotic events that unfolded during the Appointments Committee sittings on January 30 and the morning of January 31, describing them as a “gross affront to the dignity of Parliament” and an “embarrassment” to the nation.
In a statement issued today, the Speaker expressed shock and dismay over the disorderly conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs) during what was supposed to be a solemn exercise in parliamentary scrutiny.
He noted that the public outrage over the incident was justified, warning that such behaviour was eroding trust in the legislature.
“What transpired was not just a gross affront to the dignity of Parliament but also a blatant contempt of the House,” the Speaker stated. “The actions of those involved have sullied the image of Parliament and betrayed the trust of the Ghanaian people, whose expectations of leadership, decorum, and responsible conduct have been callously disregarded.”
The Speaker lamented that this was the third such incident in recent years, stressing that repeated apologies without tangible changes had only worsened public disillusionment with Parliament. He particularly criticized the involvement of senior MPs and parliamentary leaders, questioning their fitness to serve in leadership roles if they could not engage in robust debate without resorting to chaos.
In response to the disgraceful scenes, the Speaker has announced a series of emergency measures:
Formation of a Special Committee
A seven-member special committee, led by Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, has been constituted to conduct a full-scale investigation into the events. The committee is to identify those involved and submit its findings within 10 days, with appropriate disciplinary actions to follow.
Assessment of Damages
The Clerk to Parliament has been directed to assess damages caused within the parliamentary precincts. Any repair costs will be surcharged to the responsible MPs, with deductions made from their salaries if necessary.
Police Investigation
The Speaker has instructed the Clerk to formally lodge a complaint with the Ghana Police Service to conduct a full criminal investigation into the matter.
Reconstitution of the Appointments Committee
An immediate meeting of the Committee of Selection has been called to reconstitute the Appointments Committee and reconsider the rules governing nominee vetting.
Suspension of MPs
Four MPs have been suspended from Parliament for two weeks as part of immediate punitive measures. They are:
Rockson Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamakpor
Frank Annor-Dompreh
Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli
Jerry Ahmed Shaib
The Speaker also reminded MPs that parliamentary privileges do not extend to lawlessness, warning that Ghana’s democracy cannot afford to be undermined by disorderly conduct in its highest legislative chamber.
The Speaker revealed that he had received numerous calls from concerned citizens, civil society organizations, and parliamentary counterparts worldwide, all expressing disappointment over the incident. He emphasized that Parliament’s credibility was at stake and vowed to take decisive action to restore order and discipline.
“As Speaker, I reaffirm my commitment to restoring the dignity of this House. The people of Ghana deserve a Parliament that exemplifies leadership, integrity, and discipline,” he said.
The Speaker concluded his address with an apology to the Ghanaian people, acknowledging the embarrassment caused by the incident and assuring the nation that Parliament would take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
With investigations set to commence and disciplinary actions in place, all eyes are now on Parliament to see how it handles the fallout from this incident. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether these measures will be enough to restore public trust in the nation’s legislative body.
