Minority Caucus condemns suspension of three MPs by Speaker of Parliament

Accra, Ghana – January 31, 2025: The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has expressed strong opposition to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin’s decision to suspend three MPs from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The affected MPs include Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Nsawam-Adoagyiri), Hon. Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu), and Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe).

In a press statement released on Friday, January 31, the Minority described the suspension as a “blatant display of selective justice” and an overreach of parliamentary authority.

The statement highlighted concerns about an attack on Ghana’s democratic principles, emphasizing that the Speaker acted unilaterally without due process or adherence to the rules outlined in Standing Orders 130(a) and (b) of the Constitution.

According to the Minority Caucus, the suspensions stemmed from frustrations over the vetting process for ministerial nominees, where tensions flared due to alleged disregard for due process and attempts by the Majority to push decisions without consensus.

The Caucus noted that the suspension represents a dangerous precedent that undermines parliamentary fairness and transparency.

“This decision signals an era where the Speaker can arbitrarily punish Members of Parliament based on perceived disobedience rather than adherence to parliamentary rules and fairness,” the statement said.

It also criticized the Speaker for adopting a punitive stance, contrasting this with previous occasions when similar or worse incidents occurred in Parliament but were met with leniency.

The Minority pointed to several examples, including the 2021 Speakership election and the 2024 public hearings on the nomination of Supreme Court Judges, where reconciliation was preferred over sanctions despite significant disruptions.

They accused the Speaker of inconsistency and bias, asserting that his actions threaten Parliament’s role as a bastion of democracy.

The Caucus further argued that Parliament must remain an institution where all voices are heard and not one where members are punished for upholding due process and accountability.

“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.

The Minority has called for the immediate reversal of the suspension, warning that failure to do so risks turning Parliament into an oppressive institution and setting a precedent for unchecked authority.