By Victor Akan
Ghana’s parliament was thrown into chaos late Thursday night during a vetting session for new ministerial appointments. Lawmakers were seen pushing and shoving, with some damaging furniture and microphones, prompting police intervention. The disturbance occurred during a heated dispute over the vetting process for three new ministers nominated by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) following their victory in the December elections.
The vetting committee was tasked with reviewing the qualifications of the ministerial nominees, including Samuel Nartey George, nominated for communications minister. Tensions escalated when some opposition members of parliament (MPs) were accused of attempting to drag out the vetting process for political reasons, including personal grievances against nominees.
The committee, initially scheduled to review three NDC nominations, spent over five hours questioning just one candidate, Samuel Nartey George, which many NDC MPs saw as an unnecessary delay. George had been critical of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, sparking accusations from some MPs that the prolonged questioning was politically motivated retaliation.
As frustrations boiled over, committee members engaged in shouting matches, with tables upturned and property damaged. In the aftermath, the chairman of the vetting committee issued an apology to the public, describing the incident as ‘totally unacceptable’.
On Friday morning, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament, defended the extended questioning, stating that parliamentary customs allowed MPs to deeply scrutinise each nominee. He accused NDC members of attempting to disrupt the process out of spite, calling the events ‘frustrating’.
As a result of the unrest, the vetting session was adjourned and will continue on Friday. The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions between the NDC and NPP, with both sides accusing each other of using parliamentary procedures for partisan gains.
FOR ADVERT AND NEWS PUBLICATION, EMAIL US @ tarakirivoicenewspaper@gmail.com or call or WhatsApp us on 08160439769
