The Minority group in Parliament has criticized the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for suspending three members of their caucus from parliamentary proceedings for two weeks beginning January 31, 2025.
The suspension of the MPs follows violent clashes in the Appointments Committee on Thursday evening, January 30, 2025, over the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
These members include Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the second minority whip, and Alhassan Sulemana Tampulo, Member of Parliament for Gushegu.
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, was suspended alongside the three.
In a statement issued on Saturday, February 1, the Minority Caucus vehemently rejected the Speaker’s decision, calling it politically motivated and an abuse of power.
“We strongly oppose the suspension of three MPs and urge an immediate reversal of this politically tinged decision. If this unreasonable move is taken, it will set a precedent in which the Speaker becomes an uncontrolled authority, using disciplinary actions against individuals who do not agree with his favored political narratives.”
The Minority Caucus also argued that Parliament must respect democratic norms and promote impartiality in its proceedings.
“Parliament must remain a beacon of democracy, not an institution of oppression. The Ghanaians want a Parliament where all perspectives are heard, not one where members are punished for their devotion to procedure and accountability.”