The chaotic scenes that unfolded in Parliament between the Majority and Minority sides of the Appointments Committee have left behind considerable damage.
Several microphones used by the committee to address the floor were damaged during the altercation. Photos circulating on social media show tables scattered with plastic cups, used tissues, and cables connected to the damaged microphones.
Chaos erupted during the vetting of Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
According to Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament of Nsawam Adoagyiri who doubles as Minority Chief Whip, the Appointments Committee agreed to vet four nominees on January 30, 2025.
However, five were vetted, and two more were being added, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, which generated the chaos.
The Minority side was seen overturning the vetting table, destroying almost all the materials on it.
Meanwhile, the Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has disclosed that the vetting will no longer accommodate guests in the room as the previous venue for the vetting has been changed to the Speaker’s Conference Room, and that place cannot accommodate guests.
“It is not right to spend three hours/four hours questioning a nominee; it is not right. It provokes a lot of people. I am not saying we shouldn’t ask nominees questions, but let us be moderate in our approach.
“I can understand the passion and anger informing the decision to continue, even though today you have done so well. Because the machines can no longer function because they have been destroyed, we will look into that matter, and so we are adjourning to tomorrow at 9:00 am at the Speaker’s Conference Room,” he said.
He added, “We are cautioning the nominees; the Speaker’s Conference Room is small; there wouldn’t be enough space, so please nominees don’t bring people because the place cannot accommodate people.”
See some photos below:
