The seven-member committee set up to investigate the chaos at the Appointments Committee will begin a public hearing tomorrow with assurance that it would not engage in witch-hunting.
The chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Bedzrah, addressing journalists in Accra yesterday said the probe would aim at soliciting evidence to identify real culprits, adding that their objective is to ensure a fair and transparent process.
“The committee would like to place on record that it is not part of its job to target or witch-hunt anyone. We’re not here to witch-hunt any of our colleagues or Members of Parliament.
“This work is to look for evidence of any Member of Parliament who may have flouted the rules of engagement in this house,” he said.
VOLUNTEER
The Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah, at the committee’s first public meeting yesterday, called on all stakeholders, including MPs, the media and guests who were present in the room where the incident occurred, to volunteer information.
The call for information on the chaos from the public will help promote peace and a spirit of collaboration in Parliament.
The committee has created a digital platform, including a WhatsApp channel, where individuals can submit multimedia evidence such as videos, audio recordings and photographs.
“We will begin reviewing the video evidence from Parliament starting today. Our goal is to carefully examine every piece of evidence to ensure a fair and impartial investigation”, he said.
Further, the committee had decided to solicit forensic services from the police to authenticate, analyse, and validate any multimedia evidence received from witnesses, the chairman mentioned.
The committee chair announced that public hearings would be held from Wednesday, February 5, allowing individuals to testify openly about what transpired on January 30. Mr. Bedzrah explained that the public hearing would allow individuals to testify openly about what transpired on that fateful night.
“These hearings will offer an opportunity for those with firsthand knowledge of the chaotic scenes to come forward and share their accounts,” he asserted.
COMMITTEE
The committee was established by Speaker Alban Bagbin on January 31, 2025 following the violent clash in Parliament during the vetting of ministerial nominees.
The committee, chaired by Ho West MP, Emmanuel Bedzrah, includes Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Gizella Akushika Tetteh-Agbotui, Abena Osei Asare, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Vincent Oppong Asamoah and Bede Anwataazuma Ziedeng.
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin made it clear that no public funds would be used to repair any damaged items resulting from the altercations. Instead, he warned that MPs found guilty of misconduct would be surcharged for the cost of repairs.
The clash between the majority and minority sides of the House during the vetting of ministerial nominees led to the destruction of public property, prompting the formation of the investigative committee by the Speaker, Alban Bagbin.
Meanwhile, four MPs are already serving a two-week suspension as a result of the chaos, a decision that the minority is vehemently opposing.
According to the minority, the Speaker did not have the authority to give such orders, describing it as illegal.
