Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, has addressed the chaotic events during the Appointments Committee’s sitting on January 30 and 31.
Speaking to his constituents in Koforidua, Mr. Okyere Baafi explained that the disruption was a strategic move by the Minority to ensure proper scrutiny of ministerial nominees.
According to him, the Minority had no choice but to create a scene to prevent the Majority from proceeding with the vetting without adequate public oversight.
He argued that had the Minority walked out, the Majority, with their numerical advantage, would have continued unchallenged, bypassing necessary questioning.
The confrontation quickly escalated into a violent brawl, resulting in significant damage to parliamentary property, including broken consoles, cables, and tables.
The incident raised concerns about the erosion of parliamentary decorum.
In response, a special committee was formed to investigate the incident, reviewing video footage and testimonies to determine accountability and recommend measures to prevent such disruptions in the future.
Okyere Baafi defended the Minority’s actions, explaining, “There were only seven of us present, and if we had left, the Majority would have proceeded with the vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa without any public scrutiny. Our only option was to stay and resist.”
Despite defending the Minority’s stance, Okyere Baafi apologised for the disorder, urging the public to understand that their actions were crucial for ensuring transparency in the vetting process.