The seven-member committee constituted by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to investigate the chaos that characterised the activities of the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, and Friday, January 31, 2025, has held its first meeting.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, February 3, 2025, the Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, provided some key details covering the scope of their work.

Committee composition

The committee, as announced by the Speaker, is made up of seven Members of Parliament – four from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Majority Caucus, and three from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus.

The members of the committee are:

Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah (Chair)
Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi
Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui
Abena Osei Asare
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings
Vincent Oppong Asamoah
Bede Anwataazuma Ziedeng

Terms of reference

As announced by the chairman of the committee on Monday, they have three key tasks to fulfill as their mandates.

The committee is, first of all, required to conduct a full-scale investigation into the events of Thursday night and Friday morning during the Appointments Committee's sitting.

Secondly, the committee is tasked to identify all the MPs involved in the disorder. The committee is to conclude its work with the submission of a report capturing their findings and recommendations to be adopted by the Speaker and the House.

Rules of engagement

As part of the rules and modalities guiding their activities, the committee, according to the chair, has resolved to hold a public hearing beginning on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in Parliament at 10 am.

Individuals expected to appear before the committee, as listed by the chairman, include Members of Parliament, members of the media, guests who were present during the chaos, as well as members of the general public.

The chairman has, therefore, urged persons captured in the various categories to voluntarily appear before the committee and assist with information relevant to its investigation.

Evidence gathering

In order to facilitate the speedy execution of their task, the committee also announced a WhatsApp number to receive multimedia evidence from concerned individuals and members of the general public.

Members of the public interested in sending any evidence to the committee can thus do so via the WhatsApp number 0244926911.

Forensic analysis and authentication of evidence

The chairman further announced that the committee, in order to authenticate, analyse, and validate all multimedia evidence it will engage the services of a forensics expert from the Ghana Police Service.

The chairman added that opportunities will be given to individuals desirous of giving their evidence in camera to do so.

Bedzrah, therefore, urged members of the public and the Ghanaian population to join the committee on its journey to help restore the image of Parliament.

"It is our hope that all citizens will stand with Parliament in this trying moment to assist in rebuilding our enviable democratic attributes as we undertake to execute this task," he stated.

He assured that the committee will not set out to target or witch-hunt any MP or individual involved in the matter.

Background

Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Appointments Committee, on January 30, 2025, overturned tables and destroyed microphones during the vetting process of the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; and the Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

The Minority opposed the inclusion of Okudzeto and Mintah Akandoh in the vetting process for the day, arguing that the agreed number of nominees had been exceeded.

In an attempt to resist, Minority MPs overturned tables and damaged microphones, leading to a heated altercation between both sides.

Footage from the scene captured MPs engaged in confrontations, with South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor seen exchanging words with a colleague.

Following the chaos, Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended four (4) MPs who played key roles in fueling the incident.

The Minority, on Friday, before the commencement of the committee's sitting, accused the clerk to the Appointments Committee of being biased and partisan and demanded her removal from the committee.



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