Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, chair of the Ad-Hoc committee
Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the chaos that disrupted the ministerial vetting in Parliament on January 30, 2025, has disclosed that various degrees of sanctions will be meted out to those found guilty, including possible expulsion from the chamber.
In an interview on 3FM, monitored by GhanaWeb on Thursday, April 3, 2025, he stated that the committee’s report was ready and would soon be made public.
“Our report is ready, and as soon as we return from recess, we will lay it before the House. We won’t hide it from the good people of Ghana, so they should wait patiently for it. Various degrees of sanctions will be meted out to anyone found guilty, including being expelled from the chamber,” he indicated.
Bedzrah expressed shock at the scenes of physical arguments and heckling among lawmakers.
“Parliament is degenerating into a dishonorable House because such actions not only bring the chamber into disrepute but also wear down public confidence in the institution’s ability to conduct its affairs with integrity and professionalism,” he stressed.
He also refuted claims of being unfair to Minority Caucus members, as alleged by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin.
“Let me put on record that it was not part of our job to target or witch-hunt anyone. Our work was to hear from all parties involved and look for evidence of any Member of Parliament who may have flouted the rules of engagement. This is not a witch-hunt against our colleagues; that is democracy,” he explained.
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, a chaotic scene erupted in Parliament during the ministerial vetting process, with both Minority and Majority members clashing over the timing of the vetting for President Mahama’s ministerial appointees.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, set up a seven-member committee to investigate the cause of the chaos. While announcing the probe, he also suspended four Members of Parliament from sittings for two weeks.
MRA/MA
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