The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly criticised Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to suspend three New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament, describing the move as an “unfortunate overreach of parliamentary authority” and a “blatant display of selective justice.”
The affected MPs—Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Hon. Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu), and Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe)—were suspended on Friday, January 31, following chaotic scenes during the vetting of ministerial nominees.
In a press statement, the Minority argued that the disruptions were not deliberate acts of misconduct but rather a reaction to the “deep-seated frustrations” over how the majority side handled the proceedings.
They accused the Majority of sidelining due process and forcing decisions without building consensus. According to them, “Parliament, by its very nature, is a forum for robust debate and passionate deliberation. The unfortunate incident that led to minor property damage was not a planned disruption but a manifestation of the growing tensions caused by the Majority and their members and the failure of the Chairman of the Appointments Committee to exercise impartiality.”
The Minority further contended that the speaker’s decision to unilaterally suspend the three MPs without allowing them to be heard was a violation of their constitutional rights.
“The Speaker’s decision to unilaterally suspend these three MPs without due process in accordance with provisions enshrined in Standing Orders 130 (a) and (b), without an opportunity for them to be heard under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution and without first exhausting internal disciplinary mechanisms, sets a dangerous precedent,” the statement read.
They warned that such actions create an environment where MPs can be arbitrarily punished based on perceived disobedience rather than on clear breaches of parliamentary rules.
Citing previous instances of chaos in Parliament, including the 2021 Speakership election and the brawl over the E-Levy, the Minority accused the Speaker of inconsistency and political bias. “The Speaker himself has, on numerous occasions, presided over a Parliament where similar or worse incidents occurred, yet no such punitive measures were taken. The refusal to apply the same standard in previous instances makes this decision appear politically motivated, aimed at intimidating certain Members of Parliament and silencing dissent.”
The Minority maintained that the Speaker should be facilitating dialogue and maintaining order rather than penalizing MPs for expressing their views. They insisted that Parliament should remain a platform for free debate rather than a space where disciplinary actions are used as a tool for political control.
Declaring their total rejection of the suspension, they demanded an immediate reversal of what they described as a “politically charged decision.” They cautioned that if this action is not addressed, it could set a precedent where the Speaker wields unchecked authority to suppress dissenting voices. “Parliament must remain a bastion of democracy, not an institution of oppression. The Ghanaian people deserve a Parliament where all voices are heard, not one where members are punished for their commitment to due process and accountability.”
Asserting their commitment to upholding democratic principles, the minority vowed not to remain silent in the face of what they view as an abuse of power.
“Democracy thrives on fairness and justice, and we will not sit idle while our parliamentary democracy is undermined by selective application of rules,” the statement concluded.
