Ghana’s parliamentary session on Thursday night descended into disorder as lawmakers clashed over the vetting process for new ministerial nominees.
The heated altercation saw members pushing and shoving each other, leading to the destruction of furniture, microphones, and other parliamentary property before police intervened.
The disagreement stemmed from allegations by the vetting committee that opposition MPs were deliberately prolonging the process for political reasons.
On Friday morning, the committee’s chairman expressed regret over the incident, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
The vetting exercise involved three lawmakers from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were nominated for ministerial positions following the party’s victory over the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December elections.
However, tensions escalated when NDC members accused NPP parliamentary leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of excessively scrutinizing nominees, particularly communications minister-designate Samuel Nartey George.
George’s questioning lasted over five hours, with some NDC MPs suspecting it was a form of political payback.
They argued that opposition members were seeking to pressure him into retracting past criticisms of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice-President Mahamadu Bawumia.
The standoff eventually led to a shouting match and physical altercations, disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
In response, Afenyo-Markin defended his party’s actions, stating that lawmakers have the right to rigorously examine all presidential nominees.
He also accused the NDC of attempting to manipulate the vetting process to their advantage.
