“Frustration Led to Vetting Violence” – Manhyia South MP Pleads for Forgiveness
Manhyia South MP appeals for forgiveness, as Parliament sets up a special committee to investigate disruptions during ministerial vetting
- Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah says the chaos stemmed from rising tensions and frustration
- Speaker Alban Bagbin reinstated four suspended MPs after reviewing the vetting incident
- MP Emmanuel Bedzrah is leading a seven-member committee to probe the disruptions
Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has attributed the chaos that erupted between the Majority and Minority during the vetting of ministerial nominees to frustration.
In an interview on Lawson TV/Radio Ghana Se Sen with Kwame Tanko, the MP appealed to Ghanaians for forgiveness, emphasizing that such incidents contribute to the growth of the nation’s democracy.
“The violence that occurred during the vetting was a result of frustration. Ghanaians should forgive us,” he said.
The altercation, which unfolded in Parliament, escalated tensions as disagreements over the vetting process reached a breaking point.
The controversy intensified after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, suspended four MPs on January 30, 2025, prompting heated debate over whether the vetting should proceed.
In response, the Minority MPs staged a walkout, leaving the Majority to carry on with the vetting. Among the nominees was MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who faced hours of questioning from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin before the suspension.
Subsequently, Speaker Bagbin lifted the suspension of the four MPs – Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Alhassan Tampuli – following a review of the incident. The reinstatement aimed to restore order and normalcy in Parliament after the disruptions.
In a bid to address the chaos, Speaker Bagbin also established a seven-member special committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, to investigate the events of January 30. The committee is tasked with identifying those responsible for the disruptions and recommending appropriate measures.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accepted full responsibility for the disturbances, acknowledging their impact on public perception.
Speaking on February 4, 2025, Afenyo-Markin urged the Speaker to reconsider the consequences of his earlier decision, despite the Minority’s initial argument that the suspension violated the Standing Orders of the House.
