Majority Chief Whip, Nelson-Rockson Dafeamekpor, has noted that he did not get physical with Gushegu Member of Parliament Hassan Tampuli, on January 30 when the ministerial vetting turned chaotic.

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In several videos on that sad day, Mr Dafeamekpor was seen in a heated exchange with Mr Tampuli.

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Appearing before the committee probing the chaotic vetting, the Majority Chief Whip noted that he only engaged Mr Tampuli when he made a move to rescue Tano South legislator, Charles Asiedu, who was caught in between two tables during the chaos.

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In his intervention, the South Dayi legislator noted that he never laid hands on Mr Tampuli despite having his apparel held by his colleague.

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According to Mr Dafeamekpor, he raised his hands and exchanged words with Mr Tampuli.

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The committee investigating the violent altercation during the January 30 ministerial vetting as part of its third public hearing today engaged key individuals involved in the escalation of unparliamentary conduct by members of the Appointments Committee.

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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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The Minority members of the Appointments Committee have refused to participate in the scrutiny.

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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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Speaker Bagbin has announced that the legislators responsible for the destruction of tables and microphones would bear the cost of repair and replacement.

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