The Chairman of the special committee investigating the vetting chaos, Emmanuel Bedzrah, has clarified that the decision to suspend the public hearing was driven by the Minority, not Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin.
On Wednesday, February 5, the committee indefinitely suspended its proceedings.
Initially, Mr. Bedzrah announced that the suspension was based on directives from the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, who had indicated that the Speaker would provide further guidance.
However, speaking in an interview on Channel One Newsroom, Mr. Bedzrah explained that the Minority played a major role in the decision to halt proceedings.
“Let me say that the Speaker was not in the know at all. As a matter of fact, after what happened at the committee sitting, I decided to meet with the Clerk and the two leaders, including the Deputy Speakers, at the Speaker’s lobby.
“When I got there, I was told the Speaker had given an instruction, so I called the Speaker because he had traveled, and they all said they were unable to reach him on the phone,” he explained.
Mr. Bedzrah further revealed, “They said they spoke to the Speaker, and he directed that since they have apologized, we should hold on. But I said no, this is not the instruction I received from the Speaker.
“Everybody heard the Speaker yesterday instruct the Clerk to continue with his work, so I called the Speaker, and he confirmed that he had not given any directive to stop proceedings.
“Amid the confusion, we decided that since the suspension had already been announced, the best course of action was to wait for the Speaker’s return for further instructions.”
Emphasizing that the Minority was behind the move, Mr. Bedzrah stated, “Honestly, this whole stoppage came from the Minority side. I can say with authority.”