Four Ghanaian MPs suspended after chaos in parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced the suspension on January 31, calling the MPs’ actions disgraceful and damaging to the reputation of the House.

The suspended lawmakers are Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor Member of Parliament for South Dayi), Frank Annoh-Dompreh Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Alhassan Tampuli Member of Parliament for Gushegu, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe.

They were among those involved in a chaotic confrontation on the night of January 30, during the vetting of the Health Minister-designate Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Tensions flared when Minority MPs insisted that the vetting should be postponed until the next day, while the Majority side pushed for it to continue immediately.

The disagreement turned into a physical confrontation, with shouting and destruction of furniture and microphones.

The situation went out of control, forcing security personnel to step in to prevent further escalation.

Speaker Bagbin speaking in parliament condemned the MPs’ behaviour, saying it was a direct insult to the dignity of Parliament.

He warned that parliamentary privilege does not give MPs the right to act lawlessly and stressed that their actions had further eroded public trust in the institution.

He also noted that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred, warning that Parliament was losing credibility both locally and internationally.

In addition to the suspensions, Bagbin announced that a seven-member committee would investigate the incident.

MPs found responsible for any damage to parliamentary property will be forced to pay for repairs, with deductions made from their salaries if necessary.

The Clerk of Parliament has also been directed to report the matter to the Ghana Police Service for a full criminal investigation.