Monday, February 10, 2025

We will ensure due process for suspended MPs – Oppong Nkrumah to Speaker Bagbin

Share

Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah

The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on Speaker Alban Bagbin to adhere to parliamentary procedures following the suspension of four MPs.

The suspended MPs, including Majority and Minority Chief Whips Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, as well as Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and Jerry Ahmed Shaib, were involved in a brawl on January 30, 2025.

While Oppong Nkrumah acknowledges that the Speaker’s decision to suspend the MPs is justified, he emphasises the importance of adhering to established parliamentary standing orders to ensure fairness and due process.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on February 1, 2025, as monitored by GhanaWeb, Oppong Nkrumah stated, “While Mr. Speaker is justified in his righteous anger, the processes outlined in the standing orders should be followed.”

The MP further assured that steps would be taken to ensure the Speaker’s compliance with established parliamentary procedures.

“We will take steps to bring this to the Speaker’s attention and draw his focus to the various orders that outline how such matters should be handled.

“We are hopeful that once the Speaker’s attention is drawn to these orders, he will ensure that the right thing is done,”* Oppong Nkrumah added.

Speaker’s suspension

Following the fracas which occurred during the vetting of Minister of Health-designate Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin suspended four Members of Parliament (MPs) for two weeks.

The suspended MPs are Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP, Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi), Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NDC, Weija-Gbawe).

As confirmed by GhanaWeb’s George Ayisi, a special parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, was tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report within 10 days.

Speaker Bagbin also directed the Clerk of Parliament to file a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service for a criminal probe into the conduct of MPs involved.

He further declared that no public funds will repair damaged parliamentary property and that MPs found culpable will be surcharged for repairs.

VKB/MA

You can also watch videos from the Minority’s press conference after chaos erupted during Mintah Akandoh’s vetting

Read more

Local News