Vetting chaos: Probe to continue despite MPs suspension U-turn

On February 5, 2025, 5:05 AM

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has disclosed that the investigation into the vetting chaos on Thursday, January 30, 2025, will continue despite the withdrawal of the suspension of four legislators.

According to him, the ongoing probe is in line with parliamentary procedure.

“I promise you, the investigations will continue. The report will be brought to the house. The house will have an opportunity to take a decision. That is the procedure outlined by our rules, by our practice, and by custom and convention of the house,” the Speaker stated.

“Self-regulation is better than external regulation, and so please, this matter should be handled by the special committee at the committee level, and report to us. I’ve told the leaders to make themselves available to the committee and to state exactly what happened because we want nothing but facts, nothing but the truth, so that we can apply the rules correctly”.

The special committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, has been tasked with identifying those responsible for the disturbances and making recommendations for appropriate actions.

The Speaker urged the committee “not to make it a matter of public debate”.

“What you know here is not known by the public. What you do here is also not known by the public. And so when you rush to the public, one word can confuse the whole country, but that word will be understood differently in this house,” he noted.

Following a bi-partisan appeal during proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Speaker of Parliament lifted the suspension of Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (Minority Chief Whip), Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Majority Chief Whip), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

These MPs were suspended following the chaotic disruptions that occurred during the vetting of ministerial nominees, prompting disciplinary action from the Speaker.

With the suspension lifted, the affected MPs are expected to resume their parliamentary duties with immediate effect.