In the aftermath of the recent chaos during the Appointments Committee’s vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025, it has come to light that several guests accompanying ministerial nominees were compelled to spend the night within the Parliament premises due to the unexpected suspension of proceedings.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, testified before the committee investigating the incident on Wednesday, February 5, stating, “It was a very difficult situation. I can tell you that some of the invitees slept in open spaces around Parliament on that day.”
He further elaborated that the abrupt halt in the vetting process left many attendees, who had traveled from distant regions, without accommodation options stating “Some colleagues had to beg others to allow their guests to sleep in their offices because the numbers were such that they could not afford hotels for them.”
The chaos erupted when disagreements between Minority and Majority members over the number of nominees to be vetted in a single day escalated into physical confrontations, resulting in damage to parliamentary property.
In response, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, condemned the actions and suspended four MPs involved in the altercation. Following appeals from both Majority and Minority leaders, the suspensions were subsequently lifted.
To address the incident, Speaker Bagbin has directed the immediate reconstitution of the Appointments Committee and the establishment of a Standing Orders Committee to review and revise the rules governing the assessment of ministerial nominees.
The investigative committee, led by MP Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, is currently gathering evidence and testimonies to provide a comprehensive report to the Speaker for further action.
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