Author: Enestina GhanaMPs

A group of concerned representatives from the Klottey Korle Constituency stormed Parliament today to present a petition demanding action against derogatory remarks made about their Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, on February 4, 2024.

The petition, formally handed over to the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, calls for swift intervention from the Speaker to address the issue and take appropriate disciplinary measures against those responsible for the offensive comments.

On February 4, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin while speaking on the floor of parliament, a member on the Minority side was heard yelling at the MP for Klottey Korle Constituency Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings “Daughter of a murderer, sit down.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the representatives expressed deep concern over the disrespect directed at Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, stressing the need to uphold dignity and decorum within the political landscape.

They emphasized that Parliament should set the standard for professionalism and respect and that any form of verbal attack on members should not be tolerated.

The delegation urged the Speaker to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, ensuring that those behind the derogatory remarks are held accountable.

They also called for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, advocating for a culture of unity and civility in the House.

“We must foster an environment where all members, regardless of political affiliation, treat each other with mutual respect. Parliament should be a space for constructive debate, not personal attacks,” a spokesperson for the group stated.

The petitioners reiterated their demand for accountability, stressing that upholding high ethical standards is crucial in maintaining public trust in Parliament. They urged leadership to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the legislative body.

As the nation awaits a response from the Speaker, many Ghanaians will be watching closely to see how Parliament handles this call for decorum and professionalism.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on few occasions on the floor of the House has raised issues with attendance of the Majority side of the House to proceedings in parliament accusing them of failing to be present to do government business despite their huge number.

This he said shows that the Majority still needs the Minority to achieve their goals in parliament especially so when the president has made a lot of the appointments from the House.

But the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings responding to the observation of the Minority Leader in an interview with Ghanamps.com said it is still early days yet in the first meeting of the first session of the ninth parliament to make assessments on attendance to business on the floor of the House.

She affirmed that the low attendance from the Majority side notwithstanding, when the numbers are required to take a decision on the floor, the Majority side will get the numbers.

She argued that the new government is still in the process of having its full complement of Ministers and those appointed would also have to familiarize themselves with their new portfolios.

“Bear in mind that some members have been going to the vetting and others re-orienting themselves with their ministerial appointments” and that going forward things will turn out better.

“But the reality is that you will not always have the seats full all the time given the fact that many of the president’s appointments are coming from Parliament there will be other duties that other members of Parliament have to play.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Former Majority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating the chaos that occurred during last week Thursday, January 30, 2025 disclosed that some guests of nominees who could not be vetted had to sleep in Parliament.

According to him as someone in the immediate past leadership, there should have been agreement to vet nominees who were not vetted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, because Oliver Vormawor was taken on that day when he had alleged that nominees were giving bribes to the Committee.

“In the case of Kwabena Minta Akandoh it came to light that he had brought chiefs all the way from Juabuso who could not go back, he stated.

Governs Agbodza revealed that some nominees had as many as one hundred chief and could not accommodate them in a hotel and had to beg colleagues to allow their visitors sleep in their offices because it was late and the nominees had to be vetted the following day.

As to whether the marshal and the police gave quick response to the chaos, the Road Minister said they responded in a timely manner but because they were dealing with members of parliament they were hesitant in their actions.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Parliament on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 unanimously approved the appointment of four Ministerial nominees.
This was done after the usual debates on the floor between the two sides of the House.

The Minority as part of their recommendations affirmed the competence of the four nominees and found them competent for their designated portfolios thus joined the Majority side to approve them.

The approved nominees are
• Dr Rashid Pelpuo as Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment
• Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed as Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology
• Kofi Adams as Minister for Sports and Recreation and
• Joseph Bukari Nikpe as Minister for Transport.

The Minority refused to accord two nominees; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, and Samuel Nartey George, Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations the same courtesy, thus they were subjected to vote.

The Minority, however, abstained from the participating in the voice vote that approved the two by Majority decision.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel Nartey George has responded to a smear campaign against him by some faceless individuals to tarnish his image.

The Minister responding to the smearing campaign launched on social media in which he was purported to be watching adult content while in the chamber assured the public that “the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end.”

He affirmed that the Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and misinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.

His X page read:

“It is clear to me that the NPP is so hurt by my nomination as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations and would stop at nothing to fight it.

After failing to mobilise their own Caucus in Parliament to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear Campaign and cheap lies with fake photos.

I can assure them that the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end. The Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and disinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.

So help me God.”

Meanwhile, the original picture also surfaced on social media which attested to the fact that the one with the adult content was edited.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Samuel Nartey George, Ministers -designate for Foreign Affairs and Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation respectively have received parliamentary approval by majority decision with the loudest ‘Aye’.

The Minority side of the House, though present and fully participated in the processes leading to the question being posed by the Speaker, however abstained from voting on their approval.

The Minority Leader after the debate on the nominees make clear that they were unable to give their blessings for the two and indicated that they will abstain from the voice vote.

In the specific case of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said, ” bring me water, I need proper water! We wash our hands off Okudzeto Ablakwa. May all his sins be upon you”, he told the House referring to the Majority.

The situation was no different in the case of Samuel George as the Minority opposed his appointment as the Minister -designate for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations citing some concerns over his past remarks that criticized former President Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

These two nominees have drawn the most attention from the general public since their names were announced and the enthusiasm about their names was affirmed during their vetting.

It was therefore not surprising that their approval would have to be subjected to a vote.

Meanwhile, the following nominees were approved by consus.

*Dr Rashid Pelpuo as Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment
*Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed as Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology
*Kofi Adams as Minister for Sports and Recreation and
*Joseph Bukari Nikpe as Minister for Transport.

Dominic Shirimori/Ghana.com

The Minority on the Appointment Committee has given indications that they will have to beef up their security in the wake of their colleagues in the Majority intimidating them as well as calling in their supporters into the premises of Parliament.

The NDC has resorted to carrying their foot-soldiers to come to Parliament to intimidate us; sometimes we will be walking and they will be pushing us; we have brought this to the attention of the parliament police, they stated.

According to the Minority Leader addressing the media on Monday, February 3, 2025, they have informed the marshal of this development.

“We are law abiding and for our security, we will engage the police in Parliament this morning. I engaged the marshal and told them that they should do all they can to protect us; it’s not for us to find our own security and beefing up security should come from Parliament”.

Again, he pointed out that, the vetting of nominees that took place when they boycotted are not valid because the Majority were disregarding the orders of the Speaker who pointed out that the Appointment Committee should be reconstituted.

As to whether the Minority will go to court on the issue of the rights of their members being affected with the suspension orders of the Speaker, he said “we did not have open door policy in the eighth parliament that was why we went to court; but in this case we have an open door policy so we will not go to court”.

He affirmed their commitment to give respect to his high office because he is a democrat and with his years of experience we should seat down and express our views with him. “We hope today will be a happy day for us as we are able to engage with the Majority leader”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

The seven-member Ad Hoc Committee tasked by the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin to investigate the brouhaha that erupted at the working of the Appointments Committee leading to the suspension of four MPs for two weeks has started its work.

The committee on the evening of Monday, February 4, 2025, started watching videos of the chaos that occurred on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah in a media address in Parliament pointed out that the Committee will start holding public hearing on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 10:00am in Parliament House.

And further added that they shall expect members of parliament, the media, guests who were present at the vetting room as well as members of the general public to voluntarily appear and assist the committee with relevant information on the incident.

The committee has also created a digital platform where we shall receive multimedia evidence including videos, audios and text to facilitate a speedy execution of the committee’s task. These can be forwarded to the clerk to the committee on 0244926911.

Again, the committee shall solicit the services of a forensic expert from the Ghana Police Service to assist with authentication, analysis and validation of all multimedia evidence that would be received from witnesses.

He also provided the opportunity for in-camera hearing for persons who may wish to utilize such an avenue to provide useful evidence to assist the committee.

“It’s our hope that all citizens would stand with the Parliament of Ghana in this trying moment to assist in rebuilding our enviable democratic attributes as we undertake to execute this task”, he said.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com

Mr. Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe Constituency, has pledged to resolve telecommunication network issues to ensure uninterrupted and reliable connectivity within the Gbledi enclave and the Constituency.

The pledge, hinged on Mr. Tsekpo’s dedication to the community’s progress and well-being as he is poised to elevate Hohoe to “unprecedented” levels reaffirming his commitment to serving everyone in the Constituency.

Mr. Tsekpo made the pledge during a “Thank You” tour to Gbi Wegbe and the Gbledi Traditional Area in the company of his Constituency Executives to express his gratitude for the support received during and after the 2024 elections.

He said unity and development were key ingredients that yielded positive results hence urged the traditional rulers and constituents to always embrace peace and remain united in the quest to develop themselves and the constituency in general.

Mr. Tsekpo said he remained resolute in his plans to provide clean drinking water to households in Gbledi Gborgame and Gbledi Chebi communities, adding that plans were already in motion with engineers who came for site inspection.

He said he would be an MP committed to listening to the voices of traditional rulers, stakeholders and constituents while co-creating solutions and advocating tirelessly for the well-being of his constituents.

Togbega Homatekpor V, Paramount Chief of Gbledi Traditional Area, congratulated the Member of Parliament and all executives for their hard work in regaining the Parliamentary Seat and promised to work together with the MP to be successful in his endeavour.

He said the people of Gbledi Paramountcy were looking forward to their share of the development, adding that most of the young people who completed Junior and Senior High Schools had no artisanal skills and jobs.

Togbega Homatekpor urged the MP to ensure that available resources and opportunities available to him, also be extended to the Paramountcy.

He urged his subjects to do away with partisan politics since the period was over and be united, and ready to fully support any projects that would come to paramountcy.

Edward Williams

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament are unhappy that the Speaker Rt. Hon Alban Kingsford Bagbin did not give the four suspended Members of Parliament; Rockson Nelson Etse Kwame Dafeamakpor, Majority Chief Whip; Frank Annor-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip; Alhassan Sulemana Tampuuli, MP and Jerry Ahmed Shaib , Second Deputy Minority Whip the right to fair hearing.

At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on Monday, February 3, 2025, he pointed out that they have had the opportunity to listen to every word and phrase that the Speaker used and have come to the conclusion that he grossly exercised his jurisdiction and his mandate, and in the process arrogated powers that he does not have unto himself.

For emphasis, order 129 and 130 reading them together with Orders 30 to 35 even when there are contempt proceedings which will trigger a breach of privilege and by extension for some action to be taken a committee must be set to look into it, he stated.

On this occasion the Speaker was dealing with disorderly conduct which took place at the Committee level where the Chairman of the Committee had the mandate to deal with the matters; but says on his own that he has suspended these members without hearing them.

According to him, as the Chairman of the Committee did not communicate anything to the Speaker neither did the Speaker invite any of them in leadership for any discussion in any event, “when there is punishment, our rules are clear it can be for four days or eight days according to order 130”.

“We are aware that the NDC Majority itself has disregarded the Speaker’s orders. On that day, one of his orders was that the selection committee must meet immediately and reconstitute the Appointment Committee but the NDC has decided to disregard these orders and proceeded with the vetting. Despite the fact that we disagree with the Speaker, out of respect to him, we must still engage him and we will engage him.”

Hon Afenyo-Markin further pointed out that they started this engagement over the weekend; the Majority Leader and his himself had extensive discussions and he (Majority Leader) elected to reach out to Mr. Speaker and get back to him. He tried to reach out to Mr. Speaker but he was not successful.

“We believe today is Monday, Speaker will be in the office for us to see him and take the discussion further. As a responsible caucus we are going to take our concerns in a memo to his office and we believe that will form the basis for discussion”.

Again, we do not know how to treat Mr. Speaker’s communication; whether is a ruling or communication so-called because there is a provision in the order if a motion of matters come to the floor Mr. Speaker will rule on the matter and if we are not okay with it, we can challenge by filing a motion. That is what the rules say.

He noted that this was the same challenge in the ‘vacant seat’ saga when then Minority Leader Ato Forson said he was raising issue of national interest and when the matter went to the Supreme Court the Speaker said he only delivered a communication.

“So we are careful on how to approach him to know exactly what he meant; he has taken actions that have affected the rights of our colleagues.”

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com