Minority caucus condemns Speaker’s suspension of three NPP MPs, calls for reversal

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly condemned the suspension of three New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs by Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin, calling it an overreach of parliamentary authority and selective justice.

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

In a press statement dated January 31, 2025, the Minority Caucus described the Speaker’s decision as an attack on democratic principles, arguing that it was meant to intimidate MPs and silence dissent.

The suspension follows chaotic scenes during the vetting of ministerial nominees on Thursday, January 30, which the Minority attributes to growing frustrations over procedural fairness. The Caucus also accused the Majority side of railroading decisions without consensus building, leading to heated exchanges.

“Parliament, by its nature, is a forum for robust debate. The unfortunate incident that led to minor property damage was not a planned act but a reflection of tensions caused by the Majority and the Appointments Committee Chair’s failure to be impartial,” the statement read.

The Caucus also questioned the Speaker’s decision to suspend the MPs without due process, arguing that it violates Standing Orders 130(a) and (b) of Parliament and Article 19(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.

The statement further criticized the Speaker for inconsistencies in handling parliamentary misconduct, recalling previous incidents—including the 2021 Speakership election, the E-Levy brawl, and the Supreme Court judge nominations hearing on July 30, 2024—where no punitive measures were taken.

“Why does he choose this moment to impose harsh and selective punishment? This inconsistency undermines his credibility as a neutral arbiter and exposes a worrying bias,” the Minority Caucus stated.

They argued that Parliament should be a bastion of democracy, not an institution where members are punished for demanding accountability.

Read the NPP MPs full statement below:

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