Four Ghanaian MPs Suspended Over Chaotic Vetting Session

Accra, Ghana – February 1, 2025 – Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has suspended four Members of Parliament for two weeks following chaotic scenes during the vetting of ministerial nominees.
The affected MPs are:
- Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (South Dayi)
- Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri)
- Alhassan Tampuli (Gushegu)
- Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe)
The incident unfolded on Thursday night after the vetting of Transport Minister-designate Joseph Bukari Nikpe, when tensions erupted between the Majority and Minority Caucuses.
The Minority proposed postponing the session to Friday, citing procedural concerns, but the Majority rejected the request, insisting the process should continue. A heated argument ensued, escalating into physical altercations, with furniture and microphones damaged.
Speaker Bagbin condemned the disorder, calling it “disgraceful and deeply regrettable.” He warned that such incidents are tarnishing Parliament’s image and eroding public trust.
To address the situation, a seven-member committee led by Emmanuel Bedzrah (Ho West) has been tasked with investigating the incident. Speaker Bagbin has also ordered an assessment of the damages and hinted that responsible MPs may face salary deductions or possible police action.
Additionally, the Speaker suggested that the Appointments Committee could undergo restructuring to prevent future disruptions.