The committee investigating the violent altercation during the January 30 ministerial vetting will today engage key individuals involved in the escalation of unparliamentary conduct by members of the Appointments Committee.

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Chaired by Emmanuel Bedzrah, the committee resumes its sittings with several members of the Appointments Committee set to appear. Those expected to testify include Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin, New Juaben South MP Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Communications Minister Sam Nartey George, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Weija-Gbawe MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Gushegu MP Hassan Tampuli, among others.

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Earlier, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, along with Marshal of Parliament Lt. Col. Samuel Kofi Owusu and Clerk to the Appointments Committee Gifty Jiagge Gobah, had appeared before the investigative committee to provide their accounts of the incident.

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During the public hearings, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the chairman of the investigative committee of bias, but Emmanuel Bedzrah dismissed the claim. He also warned that constitutional provisions would be applied if Minority MPs on the Appointments Committee continued to boycott the inquiry.

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Mr. Bedzrah, who also serves as MP for Ho West, expressed disappointment over the absence of the Minority Caucus from the proceedings.

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“We are waiting for them to come and testify. I have not seen any accusation against me for being biased. I am not biased; you have all seen the work we have been doing.

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“We were even surprised that they didn’t show up. We are waiting for them on Monday, and if they fail to appear, we will invoke constitutional provisions as well as the standing orders,” he stated.

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The investigative committee, aside from Mr. Bedzrah, includes Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui, Abena Osei Asare, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, and Bede Anwataazuma Ziedeng.

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The committee was initially given 10 days to submit its report and recommendations to Parliament. However, following reports circulated by the Minority claiming the committee’s work had been suspended, Mr. Bedzrah has announced plans to request a two-day extension from Speaker Alban Bagbin to complete the inquiry.

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Meanwhile, Speaker Bagbin has revoked the suspension of four Members of Parliament who were sanctioned following violent clashes during the ministerial vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

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The affected MPs—Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Second Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Gushegu MP Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor—were initially suspended on January 31.

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With tensions still high, the committee’s findings are expected to provide clarity on the events that transpired during the vetting process.

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