Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were barred from taking part in the proceedings following a heated altercation during a vetting session.
The affected MPs are the Majority Chief Whip and MP for South Dayi, Mr. Rockson Nelson Dafeamakpor; the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh; the MP for Gushegu, Mr. Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli; and the Second Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija-Gbawe, Mr. Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Speaker Bagbin lifted the suspension after the Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, made an appeal in a statement read a statement on the floor of the Parliament yesterday.
The Effutu MP pleaded with the Speaker to reconsider his decision and its consequences following the incident.
“Mr Speaker, I take full responsibility as a leader on my side, on all actions that took place. I will therefore conclude by inviting you, Mr Speaker, to in the circumstance and with assurance given, consider a recession of the decision you communicated to the house, as well as all consequential matters there too,” he appealed in the statement.
The Minority Leader’s appeal was supported by the Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga.
Mr. Ayariga underscored the need for unity and constructive dialogue in parliamentary proceedings.
He acknowledged that the Speaker’s decision to suspend the four MPs was timely and widely understood by Ghanaians as a measure to restore the image of Parliament.
“I believe that your action has achieved its objectives. But as you can see, our colleagues are remorseful, they accept your decision in good faith, and they are appealing to you to reconsider and lift the suspension,” he appealed.
Speaker Bagbin, in response, noted the assurances from the MPs and their commitment to ensuring efficiency and order in parliamentary proceedings.
The Speaker took the disciplinary action by suspending the four legislators when tensions flared during the confrontation over procedural disagreements in the vetting process on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
His decision was seen as an effort to restore order and ensure the smooth operation of legislative activities following the disruptions.
However, the move sparked controversy, with members of both sides expressing concerns about breach of procedure and its implications for parliamentary business.
Following the appeal from Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the Speaker reconsidered his position and reinstated the MPs.
The appeal mentioned the need for unity and continuity in parliamentary activities, particularly at a critical time when key ministerial nominations were under review.
The suspension had led to a temporary walkout by the Minority, leaving the Majority to proceed with the vetting process in their absence.
This included the continued questioning of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, whose nomination had already been under intense scrutiny for several hours.
With the lifting of the suspension, all four MPs have now resumed their parliamentary duties, and proceedings are expected to return to normal.
