The Minority in Parliament has withdrawn from the special committee investigating the chaos that erupted during the vetting of ministerial nominees, citing bias and a lack of confidentiality in the proceedings.
Despite participating in the committee’s initial hearing, the Minority members have since boycotted further sittings. The committee chairman, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, claimed that New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) had returned to the process, but the Minority MPs remained absent from today’s session.
Addressing the press, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, MP for Asante Akyem Central and a committee member, attributed the boycott to two main concerns: the refusal to hold proceedings behind closed doors and allegations of bias against the chairman.
According to Anyimadu-Antwi, the Speaker of Parliament had suggested in-camera hearings, a recommendation the committee chairman allegedly ignored. He further accused Bedzrah of making prejudicial statements in media interviews, which he claimed compromised the committee’s credibility.
“The chairman’s past public pronouncements show clear bias, making him unfit to lead this inquiry,” Anyimadu-Antwi said.
Minority Demands Chairman’s Removal
In a statement, the Minority Caucus formally called for the Speaker to remove Bedzrah and reconstitute the committee, arguing that his alleged impartiality threatens the integrity of the investigation.
They cited several reasons for their demand, including:
Prejudicial Statements: The chairman allegedly suggested in media interviews that the Minority Leader was conspiring to disrupt the committee’s work, casting premature guilt on the opposition before hearings were complete.
Witness Tampering: The Minority accused Bedzrah of engaging with potential witnesses before their official testimony, which they believe could compromise the investigation.
Conflict of Interest: They pointed to Bedzrah’s past public support for parliamentary disorder, arguing that he lacks the neutrality needed for an unbiased inquiry.
The Minority insists that a new, impartial chairperson must be appointed to restore confidence in the committee’s work.
The ongoing boycott threatens to stall the committee’s proceedings, raising concerns about its ability to deliver a fair and credible report. With tensions escalating, the Speaker’s response to the Minority’s demand could determine the committee’s future direction.
For now, the Minority remains firm in its decision not to participate unless its concerns are addressed.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
