A heated exchange unfolded in Parliament when Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Chairman of the Governance and Assurance Committee, demanded an apology from Works and Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
The clash erupted after the Minister referred to the committee’s actions as a “bully pulpit” during a discussion on the delays in completing housing units for victims of the Akosombo dam spillage in 2023.
Mr. Ablakwa took issue with the minister’s choice of words, deeming them inappropriate and calling for a formal retraction and apology.
“Honourable Minister, you will be well advised to watch your diction. You will be well advised. You will be well advised. I will not take that. To suggest that I am using this position as a bully pulpit,” Ablakwa asserted.
He reiterated his stance, emphasising that his actions were in line with parliamentary protocols, and insisted that the Minister apologise.
In his defence, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah questioned the fairness of the proceedings, arguing that he should be allowed to address the accusations levelled against him and defend himself from what he perceived as personal attacks.
“If you choose to accuse me of insincerity, of introducing red herrings of deflecting, that is not about the people. That is you accusing me, and if you are accusing me, I must have a right to respond,” Nkrumah contended.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over the delayed completion of housing units for those affected by the Akosombo dam spillage, an issue that has garnered significant attention and concern.
Mr. Ablakwa’s demand for an apology underscores the seriousness with which the committee views its oversight role, while the Minister’s response raises questions about the nature of accountability and the right to self-defence in parliamentary discourse.
As the session continued, it became clear that resolving the disagreement would require careful navigation of parliamentary procedures and respect for the roles and responsibilities of both the committee and the Minister.
The call for retraction and apology marks a critical moment in the governance of parliamentary proceedings, setting the tone for future interactions between the committee and government officials.
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