LIVE: Parliament grills Barker-Vormawor over bribery allegation
Brawl in Ghana's Parliament during vetting of ministerial nominees
Brawl in Ghana's Parliament during vetting of ministerial nominees
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
A violent brawl erupted in Ghana’s Parliament on Thursday, January 30, during the vetting of ministerial nominees, as members of the Appointments Committee clashed over the extension of proceedings beyond 10 PM.
The confrontation between the Minority and Majority quickly escalated, leading to the destruction of state property and the intervention of security personnel to restore order.
The dispute intensified when the Majority insisted on continuing the vetting late into the night, despite strong objections from the Minority. Tensions boiled over as members of the Minority overturned tables, causing microphones and other equipment to be damaged. The commotion led to police officers stepping in to prevent further destruction.
Following 30 minutes of disorder, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and other parliamentary leaders managed to de-escalate tensions. Given the extent of damage to parliamentary property, the vetting session was adjourned and postponed to the following day.
Mr. Ayariga expressed regret over the chaotic incident and assured that MPs would conduct themselves more responsibly when proceedings resumed. “He announced that with the tables broken and microphones destroyed, sitting can't continue, forcing the Committee to reschedule for tomorrow.”
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin defended the Majority’s stance, asserting that nominees must be subjected to thorough questioning.
“You are aware that some of the nominees, we don’t even ask them questions. Where we have to ask the relevant questions, we ask. Nothing will stop us from asking the necessary questions,” he stated.
This latest outbreak of parliamentary violence rekindles memories of the 2022 altercations over the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) bill, during which MPs engaged in physical confrontations. The recurrence of such incidents raises concerns about legislative decorum and the preservation of democratic principles in Ghana’s Parliament.
The One Ghana Movement has strongly condemned the disruption, calling for swift legal action against those responsible for vandalizing parliamentary property. The civil society organization criticized the destruction as an affront to Ghana’s democratic values and urged the Speaker of Parliament and committee leadership to enforce stricter disciplinary measures during proceedings.
“Ministerial vetting, as enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, is a crucial process designed to ensure that nominees for public office possess the necessary competence, integrity, and experience to serve in the public interest,” the One Ghana Movement stated. “This process fosters transparency, safeguards national interests, upholds the principle of checks and balances, and strengthens public confidence in governance.”
