The chairman of the committee investigating the violent altercation during the January 30 ministerial vetting, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has announced that the committee will table its report to the plenary despite the absence of the Minority members during its public hearings.

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The seven-member committee, on Monday, February 10, held its third and final public hearing by engaging other key individuals involved in the escalation of unparliamentary conduct by members of the Appointments Committee.

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Those expected to have testified 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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However, the Minority legislators failed to show up after Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who is the ranking member on the Appointments Committee, submitted a memorandum to Speaker Alban Bagbin regarding the continuous placement of Mr. Emmanuel Bedzrah as Chairman of the Committee.

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A part of the letter read, "Pursuant to this and given the significance of the issues raised, the Minority Caucus considers it prudent to await the Speaker's response before taking further steps in relation to the committee's work. This should not be misconstrued as unwillingness on the part of the Minority to engage with the committee."

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Mr. Afenyo-Markin has accused the chairman of the investigative committee of bias, but Emmanuel Bedzrah has dismissed the claim.

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Since the chaotic ministerial vetting that saw the destruction of state properties, including tables and microphones, as well as the suspension and subsequent reversal of four legislators—namely, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Second Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Gushegu MP Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor—several parties involved in the altercation, such as the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, along with the Marshal of Parliament, Lt. Col. Samuel Kofi Owusu, and the Clerk to the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge Gobah, have appeared before the committee during its three public hearings.

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As part of today's hearing, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, and a citizen, George Opeku Glory, took turns before the committee.

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The investigative committee, also comprising Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui, Abena Osei Asare, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is yet to have its request for a two-day extension granted by Speaker Bagbin.

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As part of its mandate, the committee will identify the parties responsible for the chaos and make its recommendations to the House.

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Meanwhile, the Speaker has directed the Clerk of Parliament to file a criminal complaint with the Police Service for investigation and possible prosecution. He has also assured that the legislators responsible for the destruction of tables and microphones will bear the cost of repair and replacement.

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