The Ghana Parliament sitting was disrupted last Thursday after a heated argument broke out during the vetting of ministerial nominees.
In response, Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended four lawmakers for two weeks for their role in the brawl, describing their actions as an affront to the dignity of the House.
The lawmakers – Rockson Dafeamakpor, Frank Annor-Dompreh, Alhassan Tampuuli and Jerry Shai – were suspended after Thursday’s brawl.
According to the Speaker, their actions were “gross contempt of Parliament” and couldn’t go unpunished.
He also cited “contemptus parlamenti in facie parlamenti” to emphasize the seriousness of their misconduct.
The trouble started during the vetting of ministerial nominees from the ruling NDC. NPP lawmakers were complaining that the process was being rushed while NDC members were accusing the NPP of delaying the process with too many questions.
It all boiled over when Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the NPP leader, grilled Samuel George, the communications minister nominee, for five hours.
Frustration mounted in the committee and what started as a verbal exchange soon turned into a brawl.
In the heat of the moment, chairs were overturned, microphones were broken and fists flew as lawmakers engaged in physical combat.
The chaos disrupted proceedings and left the chamber in disarray.
A seven-member committee has been set up to investigate the matter and they will submit their report within ten days.
Lawmakers found to have damaged property will have the cost of repairs deducted from their allowances.
This is the third time in four years Ghana’s Parliament has seen physical fights among lawmakers.
It happened in 2021 during the election of a new Speaker and again during debates on the e-levy bill.
These recurring brawls are a concern for parliamentary discipline and the state of Ghana’s democracy.