Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

The Majority and Minority turn the Appointment Committee into a chaotic place on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the evening as tensions flared between members of the Minority and Majority, leading to a heated confrontation.

This escalated into a point where tables and microphones were destroyed, prompting the intervention of the police to restore order and prevent further destruction.

The Majority insisted on proceeding with the vetting session beyond 10 PM, but the Minority strongly opposed the move, declaring that they were done for the day.

Members of the Minority started to lose the arranged tables and in the process, most of the microphones fell off and got broken.

After about 30 minutes into the confusion, the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and other leaders stepped in and calmed tempers.

He announced that with the tables broken and microphones destroyed, sitting can’t continue forcing the Committee to reschedule for today.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Vetting proceedings in parliament were disrupted in the night of Thursday, January 30, 2024.

The whole vetting process turned chaotic when the Minority refused to allow continuation of proceedings just after the Sports and Recreational Minister designate finished his turn.

The Majority wanted to continue the vetting process with the remaining two nominees scheduled for the day, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Health Minister-designate and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister-designate. But the Minority would have none of that.

The Melee got intense when Mr. Mintah Akandoh took the seat to take his oath for his vetting to start forcing the Minority to get to their feet in protest.

The confusion led to another moment of shame in Ghana’s Parliament as there were not only verbal exchanges but also destruction to properties at the place.

Prior to this development, the Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George was subjected to 5 hours of grilling with the Minority Leader and Ranking on the Committee, Alexander Afenyo-Markin alone spending about 3hours on the nominee.

It took the intervention of the Chair of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor to cut short the Ranking Member to bring that part of the vetting to a close.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

The Ministerial nominee for Communications, Digitalisation, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George has announced plans to conduct a proper SIM re-registration exercise if approved for the role.

According to him the new process would be more efficient and technology-driven to avoid the long queues that characterised the previous exercise.

Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, Mr George criticised the past approach, stating that a more logical and seamless process would be implemented.

“We will do a proper SIM re-registration again, and this time, there will be no queues because common sense will prevail, and we will use technology to do it,” he assured.

He reiterated that the re-registration was in the best interest of Ghanaians, ensuring secure and reliable telecommunications services.

According to him, leveraging digital solutions would make the exercise convenient for citizens while achieving its intended purpose of improving national security and preventing fraud.

He assured the Committee that, under his leadership, the Ministry would prioritise efficiency and innovation in all digital initiatives, including SIM registration, to foster a more robust and inclusive telecommunications sector.

Ghanamps.com

Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan has raised serious concerns over the lack of emergency medical kits or services for parliamentarians in Parliament.

“Since joining Parliament a few weeks ago, I have taken the time to walk around the premises, and I am deeply concerned about the lack of emergency medical services available to us. I have not seen any emergency kits, AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), or other essential emergency equipment in the bathrooms, hallways, or other key areas”, she said on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 on the floor of the House.

She said the issue was further highlighted recently when the former president Nana Akufo Addo’s ADC fainted in the chamber at his final State of the Nation Address.
According to her, the way and manner the situation was handled did not meet the standard of care expected in such emergencies.

“As a trauma surgeon, I would like to propose, with your indulgence, the establishment of a committee to assess and improve emergency preparedness within Parliament. This committee could include an emergency services team to evaluate the premises and implement necessary measures.

Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah thus suggested offering training programs such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); and Stroke Care to parliamentarians, staff, drivers, and house helpers.

These programs, she affirmed would equip individuals with the skills to provide proper first aid during emergencies, reducing morbidity and mortality. “Studies have shown that immediate response significantly improves outcomes in critical situations, she added.

“Mr. Speaker, the absence of these services poses a serious risk. Should an emergency occur in this chamber, the lack of immediate care could have dire consequences. I urge this House to prioritize this matter for the safety and well-being of everyone in Parliament”, she emphasized.

Ghanamps.com

The Minority is calling for a deceive action against Victoria Hardcastle Emeafa Acting Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission for her contemptuous conduct when he came to the Appointment Committee yesterday, Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

According to the Minority the conduct of the Petroleum Commission head was one of the most flagrant attacks on parliamentary dignity in recent memory and demands an appropriately stern response from the House.

Hardcastle’s attempt to direct the Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Frank Annor-Dompreh, on the execution of his parliamentary duties, coupled with her unconscionable description of a senior Member of Parliament as “silly”, constitutes an egregious assault on parliamentary authority that cannot go unchallenged. Such strikes are conducted at the very foundation of our democracy and must be met with the full force of parliament.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

The matter is particularly concerning as it comes mere weeks after President Mahama called on his appointees to eschew “arrogance or disrespect” towards the people of Ghana in their public service.

And when this matter was raised on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday by Hon. Annor- Dompreh, the overwhelming bipartisan condemnation demonstrated Parliament’s united stance against such contemptuous behaviour. Members from both sides of the House expressed justified outrage at this blatant display of disrespect towards the Legislature.

The Rt. Hon Speaker’s decision to personally hear representations from both parties on Thursday, 30th January 2025, given the current absence of a constituted Committee on Privileges and Immunities, underscores the gravity of this matter. We anticipate that Friday’s report or ruling by the Speaker will send an unmistakable message of deterrence to all public officials and indeed any person who might contemplate similar contemptuous conduct in the future.

Throughout the Fourth Republic, various Parliaments have demonstrated their resolve in dealing decisively with contempt cases. The sanctity of parliamentary proceedings and the protection of Members in the discharge of their duties are not mere ceremonial considerations but fundamental and unshakeable pillars of our democratic governance.

Furthermore the Minority leadership maintained that Ms Hardcastle’s conduct represents an intolerable breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House, demanding exemplary sanctions.

Parliament must send a clear, unequivocal message that any attempt to undermine its authority or dignity will face severe consequences; public officials must understand that interaction with Parliament and its Members demands the highest standards of decorum and respect.

“We expect that the appropriate sanctions under our Standing Orders, including fines, imprisonment, restriction from parliamentary precincts, and mandatory public apology, will be applied with appropriate severity to reflect the gravity of this offence.”

As we await the Speaker’s determination on Friday, we call on all stakeholders to note that this case will set a crucial precedent for future interactions between public officials and Parliament. The dignity of Parliament is non-negotiable, and those who choose to assault it must face commensurate consequences, they added.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has apologized to the Appointment Committee and promised to pull down his social media post that has generated a lot of brouhaha.

According to him what he posted, “So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointment Committee just to get approval, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic” was not intended to disparage the Committee; but was quick to point out that the second post, “NDC members on the vetting Committee take money from Mahama’s ministerial nominees before approving them, the Deputy Speaker must submit himself to ORAL”, was not done by him.

After almost two hours of back and forth at the committee, he noted that he will not do anything to disparage Benard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointment Committee and that the second post was fake not done by him.

“Again, I am not an NDC member, I am CPP. When I was making the post, I was referring to information I have heard and also to allegations that come up often against this committee. The post was intended to reach out to those who were reaching out to me that there should be a process by which they submit themselves.”

I did not pull down the post so that originality will be there. The Committee chair has to interject to ask Oliver not to make a long statement and urged him not to read the statement but proceed to apologize.

Oliver thus apologized saying, “I apologize, my words have been twisted that is why I have not deleted it, I am happy to pull it down”.

He was also advised to do a disclaimer of what he said and provide the committee with the apologies in the various medium he published them.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The Appointment Committee of Parliament has summoned activist Mr. Oliver Barker-Vomawor to appear before it today, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, to substantiate an allegation of bribe taking he posted on his twitter account.

“So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointment Committee just to get approval, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic”, he wrote on his twitter page.

The Appointment Committee through a statement has invited him to appear before the Committee and further added that, he also alleged same on the political desk of ghanatoday.

“NDC members on the vetting Committee take money from Mahama’s ministerial nominees before approving them; the Deputy Speaker must submit himself to ORAL”.

The statement issue by the Committee reads; “The Committee take this allegation seriously and in accordance with Article 103 (6) of the 1992 constitution and order 134 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, you are hereby summoned to appear before the Appointment Committee to provide evidence to substantiate your statement.”

Ghanamps.com

The Tamale South Member of Parliament Haruna Iddrisu has condemned the insults on Nsawam Adoagyiri lawmaker Frank Annoh-Dompreh by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle following the altercation with the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during the appointment committee sitting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

According to him there was no way lawmakers should accept such conduct and insults.

“To Honorable Members, we do not, and we should not, accept such conduct and insults. Today, it is him; tomorrow, it maybe you. That is why we must stand united in condemning it.” – Haruna Iddrisu said on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, January 28.
He further said that “To the Honorable Minority Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, I am pleading with you that, because she is a woman, and you know Ghanaian society and our patriarchal values, forgive her.”

Hon Annoh-Dompreh, lawmaker for Nsawam Adoagyiri took offense at the description of his caucus as ‘micro’ by the Petroleum Commission CEO.

In response, the Minority Chief Whip allegedly threatened to take Hardcastle on.
“You are threatening me that you will take me on because you are who? My friend, don’t bring yourself. What do you mean you are taking me on?” Hardcastle fumed.
Annoh-Dompreh, however, emphasised the offense in the descriptive words used by the acting CEO to describe his caucus.

“You called us micro minority?” the MP questioned.
“But you are a micro minority. Doesn’t Afenyo (Minority Leader) himself use that phrase?” Hardcastle retorted.

“You think you can bully me here?” she added.
Mr. Dompreh accused the acting CEO of referring to him as “silly.”
“Please, please, please. You cannot call me silly… We will deal with this matter,” he stated.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In the 7th and 8th Parliament of the fourth Republican constitution, as much as ninety-four (94) attrition rate has hit the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso has lamented.

According to him money is playing a dominant role and very quiet alarming, despite the fact that he believes in politics there are three things, good message, strong machinery and money.

But it looks like money has taken over and it has become seventy percent, he said in an interview.

He believes the system should be blamed considering the fact that it is the MPs (representing political parties) who go to the people every four years to solicit their votes and in doing so end up promising so much even though MPs are not development agents.

However, the wining political party ends up appointing MMDCEs clothed with the duty of overseeing the development of the constituencies, yet the people always blame MPs if their needs are not met. So if you have a government that is not too focused on the things the MP promised then it weakens the MP’s chances at the poll.

“In one of my arguments when I made a statement on this on the floor, I said we need to revive the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives so that the constituents can hold them responsible if they do not see development in the constituencies.”

We should also change ways of selecting parliamentary candidates, because the delegate system is quite expensive, he added.

He said he proposed the PASO system in Argentina in which on a particular day all parties select their candidates. This time it is not some delegates but members of the party or even registered voters who lean towards a particular political party will get the opportunity to vote.

“If you have large numbers it is difficult for people to influence them with money; it now comes down to your vision, your track record and how consistent you are touching base with your constituents and how we are able to make MPs accessible to their constituents.

He indicated that Assemblies have offices where they operate, but the MP does not have an office in the constituency. “We need to revive this whole argument of finding an office for the MP in the constituency. Parliament is not ready to construct but can make some funds available to MPs to go in there and look for office spaces with some small staffs to ensure the presence of MPs in the constituency so that people can reach out to them then they can engage in clinics, workshops, and meetings.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

In the 7th and 8th Parliament of the fourth Republican constitution, as much as ninety-four (94) attrition rate has hit the Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso has lamented.

According to him money is playing a dominant role and very quiet alarming, despite the fact that he believes in politics there are three things, good message, strong machinery and money.

But it looks like money has taken over and it has become seventy percent, he said in an interview.

He believes the system should be blamed considering the fact that it is the MPs (representing political parties) who go to the people every four years to solicit their votes and in doing so end up promising so much even though MPs are not development agents.

However, the wining political party ends up appointing MMDCEs clothed with the duty of overseeing the development of the constituencies, yet the people always blame MPs if their needs are not met. So if you have a government that is not too focused on the things the MP promised then it weakens the MP’s chances at the poll.

“In one of my arguments when I made a statement on this on the floor, I said we need to revive the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives so that the constituents can hold them responsible if they do not see development in the constituencies.”

We should also change ways of selecting parliamentary candidates, because the delegate system is quite expensive, he added.

He said he proposed the PASO system in Argentina in which on a particular day all parties select their candidates. This time it is not some delegates but members of the party or even registered voters who lean towards a particular political party will get the opportunity to vote.

“If you have large numbers it is difficult for people to influence them with money; it now comes down to your vision, your track record and how consistent you are touching base with your constituents and how we are able to make MPs accessible to their constituents.

He indicated that Assemblies have offices where they operate, but the MP does not have an office in the constituency. “We need to revive this whole argument of finding an office for the MP in the constituency. Parliament is not ready to construct but can make some funds available to MPs to go in there and look for office spaces with some small staffs to ensure the presence of MPs in the constituency so that people can reach out to them then they can engage in clinics, workshops, and meetings.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com