The African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has called on Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to dissolve the current Appointments Committee following the violent altercations that marred the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30.
The chaos erupted after the vetting of Samuel Nartey George, Minister-Designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, when a dispute between the Minority and Majority Caucuses escalated into physical confrontations.
The Minority demanded a rescheduling of the vetting process to Friday, January 31, citing procedural concerns and an “unfavourable atmosphere” for a fair assessment.
The Majority, however, insisted on proceeding as scheduled. What began as a disagreement quickly spiralled into disorder, with some Minority MPs resorting to breaking tables and microphones in an attempt to halt proceedings.
Security personnel were eventually called in to restore order, leading to a temporary suspension of the vetting session.
Reacting to the developments, ACEPA condemned the incident, stressing the need for decisive action to prevent a recurrence.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, January 31, ACEPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Rasheed Draman, questioned the credibility of the current Appointments Committee and its ability to impartially vet President John Dramani Mahama’s ministerial nominees.
“If I were to advise the Speaker of Parliament, I would say, look into the rules, dissolve the committee, and set an example. Let those responsible for this chaos face the consequences if the rules allow it. Reconstitute the committee so that vetting can continue, even if it takes weeks,” Dr. Draman stated.
He further argued that, given the current composition of the committee, it is unlikely to conduct a fair and thorough vetting process. The chaotic vetting session has sparked widespread concern over the conduct of MPs and the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.
Calls for reforming the Appointments Committee and enforcing stricter disciplinary measures are growing, as stakeholders demand accountability and professionalism in Ghana’s legislative process. Interested parties want Speaker Bagbin and the leadership of Parliament to determine the next steps in ensuring order and credibility in the confirmation of government appointees.