Minority rejects Speaker’s suspension of 3 of its members over Appointments Committee chaos

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has strongly criticized Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin’s decision to suspend three New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) following a violent altercation during a sitting of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The MPs suspended are Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe).

The suspension also includes Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, who was involved in the clash. The Minority has labeled the Speaker’s action as an excessive use of his authority, accusing him of selectively applying justice to suppress dissenting voices within the legislative body.

In a press statement issued on January 31, 2025, the Minority Caucus expressed its disapproval of the Speaker’s ruling. They claimed that the decision was designed to intimidate MPs and stifle opposition, further asserting that the situation was exacerbated by the lack of procedural fairness.

The Caucus accused the Majority of pushing through decisions without seeking broad consensus, creating an environment of frustration that contributed to the altercation.

They emphasized that Parliament debates are inherently vigorous, and the disruptions were unintentional, resulting from mounting tensions that had been aggravated by the actions of the Majority and the perceived bias of the Appointments Committee Chair.

The Minority also took issue with the Speaker’s failure to follow proper procedure in his ruling, arguing that his decision violated the Standing Orders of Parliament, particularly Standing Orders 130(a) and (b), as well as Article 19(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing.

They pointed to inconsistencies in how the Speaker has handled previous incidents, such as the 2021 Speakership election dispute, the 2022 E-Levy clashes, and the Supreme Court judge nomination hearings held on July 30, 2024, where no punitive measures were imposed despite disruptive actions.

These examples, the Minority argued, highlighted a lack of consistency in the Speaker’s approach to discipline, which further undermines his credibility and the impartiality of his office.

The Minority’s statement emphasized that Parliament is a forum for healthy and robust debate, a fact that should be respected regardless of the disagreements between members.

They contended that the physical altercation that led to minor property damage was not premeditated, but instead a result of escalating tensions within the committee, driven by the Majority’s approach to decision-making and the perceived partiality of the Appointments Committee Chair.

They also stressed that such incidents are not uncommon in parliamentary systems, where intense discussions often occur, but it is the role of the Speaker to ensure that order is maintained without resorting to arbitrary punitive measures.

One of the primary criticisms levied by the Minority Caucus was the Speaker’s selective enforcement of discipline, which they argued undermines his neutrality and erodes public trust in his leadership.

The Caucus stated that the Speaker’s actions appeared to be politically motivated, aimed at curbing opposition voices within Parliament rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict.

This, they claimed, threatened the integrity of Parliament as a democratic institution and set a troubling precedent for future conduct.

The Minority also warned that the Speaker’s decision could have long-lasting implications for the functioning of Parliament and the broader political landscape in Ghana. They argued that such arbitrary suspensions could lead to a climate of fear and self-censorship among MPs, discouraging open debate and accountability. They called on the Speaker to uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality, which are vital to ensuring that Parliament remains a pillar of democracy and a forum for free expression of diverse views.

In conclusion, the Minority Caucus urged Speaker Bagbin to reconsider his decision, asserting that the suspension of the MPs undermines the fundamental values of parliamentary democracy.

They warned that the use of such drastic measures to silence opposition could set a dangerous precedent, not just in Ghana’s Parliament but for democratic institutions more broadly.

The Minority called for an environment in which all MPs can express their opinions freely and contribute to the legislative process without fear of arbitrary punishment.