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Speaker Alban Bagbin Lifts Suspension of Four MPs Amidst Minority Protests

  • Feb 4, 2025
  • 2 min read

Speaker Alban Bagbin has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were previously sanctioned for their involvement in a heated confrontation during the vetting of ministerial nominees.

The decision comes after intense pushback from the Minority caucus, who had condemned the suspensions as unfair and unilateral.


Alban Bagbin has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs)
Alban Bagbin has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs)

Pressure from Both Sides Led to Reversal


The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had urged Speaker Bagbin to rescind his decision, citing the need for a fair hearing and due process.


Similarly, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga also appealed to the Speaker to reconsider the suspension, stressing the importance of maintaining parliamentary cohesion.


Suspended MPs Now Free to Resume Duties


With the suspension lifted, the affected MPs are now allowed to resume their parliamentary responsibilities. The suspended MPs included:


🔹 Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor – Minority Chief Whip


🔹 Frank Annoh-Dompreh – Majority Chief Whip


🔹 Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli – Gushegu MP


🔹 Jerry Ahmed Shaib – Weija Gbawe MP


They had been suspended for two weeks, effective Friday, January 31, 2025, following a chaotic confrontation at the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, 2025.


What Led to the Confrontation?


Tensions erupted between the Majority and Minority caucuses over the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.


🔸 The Minority insisted that the vetting be rescheduled for Friday, arguing that the process required more time.


🔸 The Majority, however, refused, stating that the vetting should proceed as originally scheduled.


🔸 The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation, with some Minority members allegedly breaking tables and microphones in an attempt to disrupt the process.


In response, the Majority maintained that the Appointments Committee was following proper parliamentary procedures, and the vetting should not be halted.


Speaker Bagbin’s Initial Response


Following the chaotic scenes, Speaker Bagbin took swift action, directing several measures, including:


📌 The Clerk of Parliament to formally lodge a criminal complaint with the police for a full investigation.


📌 The Committee of Selection to reconstitute the Appointments Committee.


📌 The Clerk of Parliament to assess damages to property and surcharge responsible members for repairs.


📌 The creation of a seven-member committee, chaired by Emmanuel Bedzrah, to investigate the incident and present a report within 10 days.


What Happens Next?


Now that the suspension has been lifted, focus shifts to how Parliament will handle future disagreements without resorting to disruptive confrontations.


With political tensions already high over ministerial vetting, it remains to be seen whether this incident will lead to greater cooperation or further division between the Majority and Minority caucuses.


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