Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo has expressed deep disappointment over the chaotic scenes in Parliament during the Appointments Committee sitting on Thursday night.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, Prof. Gyampo criticised the conduct of the MPs, describing it as unacceptable for a country striving to strengthen its democracy.

“I was disappointed at what happened yesterday. I have studied parliamentary proceedings across the world, and while conflicts occur in both developing and mature democracies, Ghana should be setting a better example,” he stated.

He condemned the destruction of property, including tables and microphones, arguing that such behaviour is unbefitting of honourable MPs.

“I kept wondering because in the university where I teach, one of the reasons why management has been stern on students is that it became a norm for some to destroy property during demonstrations. Management was so unhappy that they took drastic steps to sensitise students. Now, they understand that they have the right to dissent, but they must not destroy public property.

“If students are being socialised to accept this, and they are willing to comply, I find it difficult to accept why Members of Parliament, who are given the title ‘honourable’, would go beyond dissent to the extent of destroying state property,” he said.

Prof. Gyampo also criticised Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, for failing to act decisively when tensions escalated.

“Around this time, when you saw that things had gotten out of hand, he simply should have called upon the Marshals of the House to bring order in the chaotic situation. He didn’t do that,” he remarked.

“If he had done that swiftly, I think he could have prevented the destruction of state property by people who are supposed to be honourable Members of Parliament,” he added.

He insisted that those responsible must be held accountable.

“Whoever has done that, I think, must be brought to book and must be dealt with. According to the laws of this country, no single Member of Parliament is above the law,” he declared.