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The minority in Parliament has strongly criticised Speaker Alban Bagbin for suspending three of their members from parliamentary proceedings for two weeks, effective January 31, 2025.
The suspensions follow violent confrontations at the Appointments Committee on the evening of January 30, 2025, during the vetting of ministerial nominees Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The affected members include Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Second Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib, who is also the Member of Parliament for Gushegu, and Alhassan Sulemana Tampulo. Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor was also suspended alongside them.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, February 1, the Minority Caucus rejected the Speaker’s decision, calling it politically motivated and an abuse of power.
“We categorically reject the suspension of three MPs and demand an immediate reversal of this politically charged decision. If this unjustifiable action stands, it will set a precedent where the Speaker becomes an unchecked authority, weaponising disciplinary measures against those who do not align with his preferred political narratives,” the statement read.
The minority further argued that Parliament must uphold democratic principles and ensure fairness in its proceedings.
“Parliament must remain a bastion of democracy, not an institution of oppression. The Ghanaian people deserve a Parliament where all voices are heard, not one where members are punished for their commitment to due process and accountability,” the statement continued.
The controversy surrounding the suspensions has heightened political tensions, with the minority vowing to resist what they perceive as an undemocratic move aimed at silencing opposition voices in Parliament.
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