‘Chaos!’ Ghana’s Speaker Suspends Four Lawmakers As Fight Erupts In Ministerial Screening

OwelekeTV — Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has suspended four lawmakers for two weeks following a violent altercation during the screening of ministerial nominees.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening when members of the ministerial vetting committee clashed over the questioning of nominees from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The heated session quickly spiraled out of control, with lawmakers upturning tables, smashing microphones, and engaging in physical confrontations.

Tensions Over Ministerial Vetting

The committee, comprising members from various political parties, was tasked with scrutinizing nominees appointed by newly elected President John Mahama of the NDC. His victory in December unseated the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after two consecutive terms in power.

During the screening, opposition lawmakers accused the NPP members of deliberately prolonging the process with excessive questioning.

A major flashpoint was the vetting of Samuel Nartey George, nominated for the role of communications minister, who was reportedly grilled for over five hours.

Frustrations peaked when NDC lawmakers accused Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the NPP in Parliament, of using the process to score political points.

The escalating tension soon led to an all-out brawl, disrupting proceedings and damaging parliamentary furniture.

Speaker Condemns “Blatant Contempt”

In response to the incident, Speaker Bagbin denounced the lawmakers’ actions as a disgrace to Ghana’s legislative body.

“This is not just a gross affront to the dignity of Parliament but also a blatant contempt of the House,”

he declared on Friday.

Bagbin subsequently announced the suspension of four lawmakers—Rockson Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamakpor, Frank Annor-Dompreh, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib—for their roles in the fracas.

Additionally, a seven-member special committee has been tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report within 10 days. The committee’s findings will determine further disciplinary actions.

Lawmakers to Bear Cost of Damages

Beyond suspensions, Bagbin emphasized that those responsible for the destruction of parliamentary property would be held financially accountable.

“The repair and replacement of damaged properties will be surcharged from the allowances of the lawmakers found culpable,”

he stated.

This latest parliamentary brawl marks the third instance of violent clashes among Ghanaian legislators in recent years.

In 2021, similar chaos erupted during the election of a new speaker, and later that year, another confrontation disrupted proceedings during a heated debate on the electronic transaction levy bill.