A chaotic incident during the Appointments Committee’s vetting session on Thursday evening led to significant destruction, forcing a change in venue. Tables and microphones were damaged, making it impossible to continue the proceedings.
Addressing the situation, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga called for calm and urged all parties to exercise restraint, warning that such disruptions could harm Ghana’s democratic reputation.
“Ghana has one of the most respected and functional democracies. Our Parliament is admired by many,” he stated. “We must not allow incidents like this to tarnish the image we have worked hard to build.”
Explaining the extent of the damage, Ayariga noted that logistical constraints prevented the session from continuing.
“With the microphones destroyed, the media cannot effectively broadcast the proceedings live. Vetting is about assessing the nominees’ knowledge, and without proper audio, that becomes a challenge,” he explained.
He further stated that technical staff had closed for the day, and even if they were available, the damaged equipment could not be easily replaced overnight.
“As it stands, it is practically impossible to proceed with the remaining nominees tonight,” he said.
In response, Ayariga announced that a new venue would be designated for the continuation of the vetting process the following morning.
“Given the extent of the damage, we will identify a new location within Parliament to resume proceedings in the morning,” he assured.
Before concluding, he urged all members to use their time effectively during the vetting process to ensure efficiency.
“We all have supporters who expect us to perform our duties responsibly. Let’s manage our time wisely so we can vet as many nominees as possible and ensure the government is fully functional,” he advised.
