adverts
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has strongly criticised his recent suspension from Parliament, describing it as both unjust and unwarranted.
Dafeamekpor, along with three other Members of Parliament—Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Alhassan Tampuli (Gushegu), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe)—was suspended on Friday, January 31, following a heated confrontation during the ministerial vetting process at the Appointments Committee sitting on January 30.
However, the Speaker of Parliament later lifted the suspension on February 4 after an appeal from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which was supported by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
adverts
Speaking on JoyNews’ Upfront program on Thursday, February 6, Dafeamekpor maintained that he played a crucial role in maintaining order during the parliamentary chaos and should not have been penalised.
“The whole world saw the role that I played. I was the one preventing the chaos from continuing. I was the one preventing damage from being done to public property,” he stated.
He dismissed allegations of vandalising parliamentary property, emphasising that his primary responsibility as Chief Whip is to ensure the smooth conduct of government business.
“There were over 30 cameras capturing the event from different angles, and none show me destroying anything. It would be unthinkable for me to disrupt a process that I am responsible for facilitating,” he explained.
Addressing his interaction with fellow MP Hassan Tampuli, Dafeamekpor clarified that he was merely intervening to protect a junior colleague.
“Hassan had an altercation with a young MP from Western North, who is much smaller in stature. I stepped in to pull my colleague away from Hassan. That was my only role in that situation,” he stated.
He also dismissed claims that someone had inappropriate access to his private parts during the scuffle, calling it a baseless fabrication.
“It never happened. In that chaotic situation, who would have had the opportunity to do such a thing? With so many cameras capturing every moment, there is no evidence of this ever happening,” he asserted.
Dafeamekpor further rejected suggestions that there was an agreement to halt proceedings on the day of the incident, insisting that the opposition’s disruptive actions were unjustified.
“In Parliament, if you disagree, you walk out. You don’t resort to destruction or force to stampede the process,” he remarked.
Despite his suspension, the Majority Chief Whip remains resolute in his role, vowing to ensure the efficient execution of government business.
“My role is to ensure that government business is done. That will not change,” he affirmed.
The parliamentary committee investigating the incident is expected to deliberate further on the matter in the coming days.
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
