The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has insisted that the investigation into the vetting chaos will continue in line with parliamentary procedure.
This is despite the lifting of the suspension of four Members of Parliament following a bi-partisan appeal.
The suspended MPs included Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (Minority Chief Whip), Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Majority Chief Whip), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Their suspension followed the chaotic disruptions that occurred during the vetting of ministerial nominees, prompting disciplinary action from the Speaker.
Despite appeals from both the Majority and Minority leadership, Speaker Bagbin made it clear that lifting the suspension does not nullify the ongoing investigation by the special committee set up to examine the incident.
“I promise you, the investigations will continue. The report will be brought to the house. The house will have an opportunity to take a decision. That is the procedure outlined by our rules, by our practice, and by custom and convention of the house,” the Speaker stated.
“Self-regulation is better than external regulation, and so please, this matter should be handled by the special committee at the committee level, and report to us. I’ve told the leaders to make themselves available to the committee and to state exactly what happened because we want nothing but facts, nothing but the truth, so that we can apply the rules correctly.
The special committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, has been tasked with identifying those responsible for the disturbances and making recommendations for appropriate actions.
The Speaker urged the committee “not to make it a matter of public debate.”
“What you know here is not known by the public. What you do here is also not known by the public. And so when you rush to the public, one word can confuse the whole country, but that word will be understood differently in this house.”
With the suspension lifted, the affected MPs are expected to resume their parliamentary duties with immediate effect.
However they, along with other lawmakers, could still be called upon to provide evidence as the committee proceeds with its investigation.
The findings are expected to inform future disciplinary measures and enhance order in parliamentary proceedings.
