Minority blasts Bagbin for stifling opposition voices illegally

The Minority in Parliament has strongly opposed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to suspend three New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament, describing it as an abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to stifle opposition voices in Ghana’s legislative chamber.
The suspension, which took effect on January 31, 2025, affects Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh (MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (MP for Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (MP for Weija-Gbawe).
The action was taken following a heated altercation during the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30, in the Appointments Committee.

Suspension sparks outrage
Speaker Bagbin justified the suspension as necessary to maintain order and decorum within Parliament.
However, the Minority Caucus, in a statement, decried the decision as politically motivated and lacking fairness.
“The unfortunate incident that led to minor property damage was not a planned act but rather a reflection of the tensions caused by the Majority’s refusal to build consensus and the Appointments Committee Chair’s lack of impartiality,” the statement read.
The Minority further argued that the suspension contravenes Parliamentary Standing Orders 130(a) and (b), as well as Article 19(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing.
“Why now? Why impose harsh and selective punishment at this moment? This inconsistency raises serious concerns about fairness and neutrality in the House,” the statement continued.

Tensions at the vetting committee
The suspensions stem from a chaotic session of the Appointments Committee on the night of January 30.
Clashes erupted between the Minority and Majority caucuses during the vetting of Health Minister-designate Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The disagreement began after 10:00 p.m. when the Majority Caucus insisted on proceeding with the vetting of two additional ministerial nominees despite having already vetted five others earlier in the day.
The Minority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, objected, arguing that the vetting should be rescheduled for the following day, citing fatigue and the need for thorough scrutiny.
The Majority rejected this suggestion, blaming the delays on what they perceived as the Minority’s extended questioning of nominees.
The debate soon turned into a physical confrontation, leading to broken tables and destroyed microphones, forcing the session to be suspended.

Concerns over parliamentary conduct
The altercation has raised serious concerns over the integrity of the vetting process and Parliament’s ability to function effectively. The incident is the latest in a series of disruptive episodes, including the controversial 2021 Speakership election, the E-Levy brawl, and the chaotic Supreme Court judge nominations hearing on July 30, 2024.
Speaker Bagbin’s move to suspend the three MPs was supported by some members of the public, including residents of the Hohoe Constituency in the Volta Region, who expressed their approval of the decision, citing the need for discipline in Parliament.
However, the Minority remains defiant, stating that Parliament must remain a forum for open debate and not an institution where opposition voices are silenced through punitive measures.

Accusations of partisan bias
Adding to the controversy, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, Madam Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, of partisanship, alleging that she was favoring the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The Clerk to the Committee is a partisan clerk… she agrees with the NDC and she advertises and informs people to come,” Afenyo-Markin told reporters.
Despite the chaos, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has sought to de-escalate tensions, apologizing for the disorder and agreeing to reschedule the vetting session to January 31.

What next?
With the suspension in effect, the Minority has vowed to resist what it sees as an attack on parliamentary democracy.
Analysts predict that this development could deepen divisions in Parliament and affect future legislative proceedings.
As Ghana navigates these political tensions, all eyes remain on how Speaker Bagbin and the leadership of both caucuses will handle the fallout from this latest parliamentary dispute.
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra+1