The Clerk to Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobbah, has disclosed that she exited Parliament on the night of Thursday, January 30, following a directive from her husband amid chaotic scenes during the vetting process.

Appearing before the investigative committee probing the disturbances, she detailed the tense moments leading to her decision to leave, explaining how the situation quickly escalated.

"On that fateful Thursday, we had commenced proceedings, but they were disrupted. The members then went into a conclave in the Director of Protocol’s office to agree on how to proceed,” she stated.

She noted that before proceedings resumed, she received multiple instructions from both the Chairman of the Committee and the Minority Chief Whip, which she duly relayed.

While overseeing the vetting of Mr. Nikpe, she observed increasing disorder in the chamber. Concerned about procedural integrity, she became aware that one of the glass doors had been broken and swiftly alerted the Parliamentary Marshal.

However, as tensions mounted, she felt uneasy and decided to seek guidance from her superior, the Clerk to Parliament.

“In my spirit, I wasn’t feeling right, so I called my boss and pleaded with him to come. Within a few minutes, he arrived, and I briefed him on what was going on,” she said.

As the turmoil intensified, she was summoned by the Chairman to swear in Mr. Akandoh. However, before proceeding, she hesitated, awaiting further directives.

“That was when the insults started. I was standing there, shocked at what was happening,” she recalled.

Amid shouts and demands for her to continue with the swearing-in, she maintained her stance.

“They were screaming at me, but I needed a directive from my boss. If I didn’t get instructions, I couldn’t proceed,” she explained.

Feeling increasingly overwhelmed, she then received a series of urgent messages from her husband.

“At the tail end, when the Majority was trying to engage both sides, I got three calls and a message from my dear husband instructing me to leave the premises immediately. That order I took and adhered to, and I left,” she stated.

Following her testimony, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin ordered the investigative committee to suspend its sitting.