The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns over the suspension of three of its members on Friday, January 31, 2025, following the chaos that disrupted the previous day’s vetting in Parliament on Thursday.
The caucus says the Speaker does not wield that power to suspend the supposed members especially when they have not been heard.
Four Members of Parliament were suspended by the Speaker on Friday, following their roles in the disturbances that took place in Parliament leading to the destruction of some properties at the vetting venue.
Three members of the Minority, in the persons of Jerry Ahmed Shaid, Alhassan Tampuli and Frank Annoh-Dompreh were suspended by the Speaker with Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Addressing the press in Parliament Monday, February 03, 2025, the Minority Leader indicated that they want the Speaker to clarify his decision to know his real intentions, citing the 2024 incident that ended at the Supreme Court.
According to him, the Rt. Hon. Bagbin said he delivered a communication when the matter over the vacant seats got to the Supreme Court which has shaped their approach to the current issue.
“I’m sure you may recall that when the matter went to the Supreme Court and all, Mr. Speaker said, ‘oh, he only delivered a communication, he shared an opinion with us’. So we are also careful on how to approach it. We want to be sure exactly what Mr. Speaker meant and we believe that the right thing to do is to grant these affected members hearing,” said Afenyo-Markin.
He disclosed further that Minority leadership in Parliament has scaled up the matter to their party leaders who have also taken the matter seriously.
“We have also taken the matter up. We have escalated the matter to our party level. NPP minority caucus is the wing of the NPP in Parliament so we have also communicated this matter to party headquarters.
“The National Chairman, the General Secretary and the national executives have become aware of this and they take the matter seriously. They are not taking it lightly at all. They believe that the diplomatic channels must remain open,” he added.
Afenyo-Markin reiterated an earlier position espoused that the Minority will not allow itself to be intimidated.
“But we want to say this with emphasis. This mighty few, this happy few, will not allow itself to be intimidated. We will never surrender to any intimidation. All the issues that are being thrown at us are aimed at scouring us. None of it will work.”
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