Following a tumultuous session at the Appointments Committee of the Ghanaian Parliament, Speaker Alban Bagbin has suspended four Members of Parliament (MPs) for two weeks, a decision that has sparked significant online backlash. The MPs in question – Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib – were involved in chaotic scenes during the vetting of ministerial nominees, leading to the suspension.
The suspension came after an incident where disagreements over the vetting process turned into physical altercations, damaging parliamentary property and disrupting the proceedings. Speaker Bagbin described the incident as an embarrassment to Parliament, necessitating immediate disciplinary action.
However, the response from netizens on social media platforms has been overwhelmingly critical of the Speaker’s punitive measures. Many have expressed their views with comments like, “Only two weeks? That’s a mere slap on the wrist,” suggesting that the punishment does not match the severity of the disruption caused.
One user on X posted, “The behavior of these MPs was utterly disgraceful, and a two-week suspension barely scratches the surface of what should be done. It sends a message that such actions can be tolerated with minimal consequences.” This sentiment was echoed across various platforms, with debates centering around the adequacy of the punishment in maintaining the dignity and decorum of Ghana’s legislative body.
Speaker Bagbin suspends 4 MPs over ministerial vetting chaos.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 31, 2025
Enyonam Haligah has the full details.#TV3GH pic.twitter.com/lzu6j87OcX
The incident has also raised questions about the culture of political discourse in Ghana, the enforcement of parliamentary discipline, and what constitutes an appropriate response to misconduct among elected officials. Some users criticized the lack of harsher penalties, pointing out that the financial implications of the damage and the disruption of democratic processes should warrant more significant repercussions.
In response to the chaos, Speaker Bagbin has not only suspended the MPs but also set up a seven-member bipartisan committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, to investigate further and recommend additional actions if necessary. The committee has been given a 10-day deadline to submit its findings.
Moreover, the Speaker has directed that the MPs involved be surcharged for any damage to parliamentary property, further emphasizing the Parliament’s stance on accountability. This move, while welcomed by some as an attempt to rectify the situation, has still not satisfied the public’s call for stronger disciplinary action.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the need for a more effective system to manage and prevent such incidents, with proposals for stricter rules, better security measures during contentious sessions, and perhaps even educational programs for MPs on parliamentary etiquette and conflict resolution.