The Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of seeking to intimidate the Minority Caucus following the ejection of the MP for Damango, Samuel Abu Jinapor, from Parliament.
Mr Assafuah has described the incident as a troubling development that could undermine the Minority’s constitutional responsibility to hold the government accountable.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Old Tafo MP criticised the circumstances surrounding Mr Jinapor’s removal from the parliamentary Chamber and questioned the leadership of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
He argued that the incident reflects an attempt to silence the Minority’s scrutiny of government conduct and warned against what he considered the abuse of parliamentary authority.
“What happened to Hon. Abu Jinapor in Parliament today is yet another troubling indication of the NDC’s agenda to intimidate the Minority and silence our demand for accountability,” he stated.
Mr Assafuah also expressed concern about the implications of the incident for parliamentary leadership, particularly in relation to the conduct of proceedings under other presiding officers.
“If this is the kind of leadership we are witnessing under Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, then I can only imagine how much worse things could become when Hon. Ahiafor is in the chair,” he added.
Mr Assafuah’s comments followed a confrontation between Mr Jinapor and Speaker Bagbin during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday.
The incident occurred while the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources was contributing to the Business Statement presented by the Majority Leader, James Agalga.
During his contribution, Mr Jinapor raised concerns about allegations that diplomatic passports were being sold to individuals in exchange for money.
The allegation prompted an intervention by the Speaker, who asked the Damango MP to withdraw the statement if he could not provide evidence to substantiate it.
Mr Bagbin maintained that allegations of wrongdoing involving the issuance of diplomatic passports are serious and requires credible evidence.
However, Mr Jinapor reportedly maintained his position and repeated the allegation despite the Speaker’s directive.
Following his refusal to withdraw the statement, the Speaker instructed the Marshal of Parliament to escort him out of the Chamber.
The directive triggered protests from members of the Minority Caucus, who expressed solidarity with their colleague.
The Minority subsequently staged a walkout, led by its Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in protest against the Speaker’s decision.
The action disrupted proceedings and further heightened tensions between the Majority and Minority sides of the House.
Reacting to the development, Mr Assafuah maintained that the incident would not deter the Minority from discharging its constitutional mandate.
He insisted that the caucus remains resolute in its commitment to scrutinising government policies, questioning public officials and demanding accountability on matters of national interest.
“We in the Minority are unshaken, undeterred and resolute. No amount of intimidation, political manoeuvring or abuse of parliamentary authority will make us abandon our constitutional duty to hold this government accountable,” he declared.
The MP emphasised that accountability is an obligation owed to the Ghanaian people and should not be treated as a privilege granted by those in government.
He further maintained that the Minority would not abandon its oversight responsibilities despite what he described as attempts to intimidate its members.
“We will not be silenced, we will not be intimidated, and we will not retreat. Accountability is not a favour to be granted by the government; it is a duty we owe the people of Ghana,” he stated.
The confrontation has added to the political tensions in Parliament, with the Minority protesting the Speaker’s handling of the matter and raising concerns about the treatment of its members during proceedings.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to the balance between the Speaker’s authority to maintain order in the House and MPs’ responsibility to raise issues of public interest while observing parliamentary rules.
While the Speaker insisted that the diplomatic passport allegation required substantiation, Mr Jinapor’s removal has become a source of contention between the two parliamentary caucuses.
Mr Assafuah, however, has made it clear that the Minority intends to maintain its pressure on the government, insisting that disagreements within Parliament will not weaken its commitment to public accountability.
By 1960news.com
