Majority Chief Whip of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor
The Majority Chief Whip of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has asserted that a change of venue could have prevented the chaos that erupted during the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Speaking during the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the incident, on Monday, February 10, 2025, the MP emphasised the need for better logistical planning to prevent a recurrence of the incident in future.
The Member of Parliament of South Dayi also argued that the overcrowding and charged atmosphere contributed significantly to the chaos, making it difficult for the vetting process to proceed smoothly.
Dafeamekpor further explained that moving the session to a more spacious and controlled environment could have helped de-escalate tensions and ensured a more orderly process.
“I think the prudent thing that should be considered by any chairman confronted with a similar situation in the future is to change the venue.
“That Thursday, if we had moved to the Speaker’s conference room, for instance, I am sure that by the time we had relocated, order would have been restored. I don’t think they would have carried the chaotic scenes to the new committee room,” he explained.
A misunderstanding between the Minority and Majority members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee over the vetting schedule of ministerial nominees led to chaos on January 30.
The Minority, citing fatigue, requested a postponement, but the Majority insisted on completing the process as planned.
The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, resulting in damage to property in the vetting room.
In response to the chaos, the Speaker suspended four MPs, namely Frank Annoh-Dompreh (NPP, Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi), Alhassan Tampuli (NPP, Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (NPP, Weija-Gbawe).
However, after a plea by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, seconded by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the Speaker lifted the suspension on the four MPs.
A seven-member parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, commenced public hearings on February 5, 2025, at Parliament, to investigate the misconduct of the MPs during the vetting session conducted by the Appointments Committee.
The committee is expected to bring transparency to the events that unfolded during the vetting process.
Meanwhile, the Minority has announced its decision to step back from the ad-hoc committee investigating the incident, following their concerns that the chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, is biased.
JKB/AE
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