The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee investigating the vetting chaos of January 30, 2025, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has clarified that the abrupt suspension of the committee’s hearing on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, was not directed by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
Speaking on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Mr. Bedzrah accused the Minority caucus of instigating the suspension. He explained that the Clerk to Parliament, acting on misleading information reportedly provided by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, decided to withdraw staff assisting the committee, believing the Speaker had ordered a halt to proceedings.
“The Clerk received false information that the Speaker had instructed us to suspend the hearing. However, after verifying with the Speaker himself, it became clear that no such directive had been issued,” Mr. Bedzrah revealed.
What Really Happened
Detailing events, Mr. Bedzrah recounted that confusion arose during the committee’s first sitting on Wednesday when the clerk informed him that his staff could no longer continue supporting the work of the committee. This, the Clerk claimed, was due to a lack of formal communication from the Speaker.
“I called the Majority Leader and convened an urgent meeting with key parliamentary leaders, including the two deputies and the Clerk. During that meeting, the Minority Leader insisted that the Speaker had agreed to a suspension of the hearing,” Bedzrah narrated.
To dispel the confusion, Mr. Bedzrah said he called Speaker Bagbin in the presence of all parties. “The Speaker categorically stated that he had not directed any suspension of the committee’s work. He emphasized that his ruling on the matter was for the committee to proceed with its mandate and submit its report,” Mr. Bedzrah emphasized.
Later that evening, the clerk reportedly contacted Mr. Bedzrah to confirm that the Speaker had reiterated his position, allowing the committee to resume its work.
Next Steps for the Committee
Mr. Bedzrah assured Ghanaians that the committee would continue its investigation uninterrupted. “We are set to resume work on Friday, February 7, 2025. Our first task will be the public hearing of witnesses, followed by an in-camera session with the culprits involved,” he stated.
He also announced plans to hold a press conference to update Ghanaians on the progress of the investigation. “We will brief the public today and outline the next stages of our work. After the in-camera hearings, we will review the video evidence, compile our findings, and present our report to Parliament,” he concluded.
Background
The vetting chaos being probed occurred during the approval process for ministerial nominees, resulting in heated altercations and alleged breaches of parliamentary procedure. The Adhoc Committee’s mandate is to investigate the incident, hold those responsible accountable, and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
This latest clarification from Mr. Bedzrah underscores the complexities of parliamentary processes and highlights the role of leadership in ensuring smooth legislative proceedings.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
