MP Urges A Plus to Learn Parliamentary Rules Before Seeking PAC Chair’s Removal

The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has cautioned his colleague and newcomer to Parliament, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, to familiarise himself with parliamentary procedures before calling for the removal of Abena Osei-Asare as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

In a Facebook post, Mr. Osei Nyarko described A Plus’s petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, as “dead on arrival,” arguing that the Speaker lacks the authority to remove a sitting MP from a parliamentary committee.

“My colleague A Plus should take his time to learn the parliamentary rules and procedures properly. The Speaker has no powers to remove any Member of Parliament from a committee, not even the Leader of Government Business can do that,” he wrote.

He explained that such decisions fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Committee of Selection, which acts on recommendations from the leadership of the respective parliamentary caucuses.

Mr. Osei Nyarko advised that if A Plus believes the PAC Chairperson has acted inappropriately, he should refer to the Standing Orders of Parliament and follow proper disciplinary channels rather than appealing directly to the Speaker.

“To call on the Speaker to remove her as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee is nothing but political bravado,” he added, urging A Plus to withdraw the petition “to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.”

A Plus, who recently became a Member of Parliament, had petitioned Speaker Bagbin to remove Mrs. Osei-Asare, citing an alleged conflict of interest arising from her former role as Deputy Minister of Finance.

His petition has sparked fresh debate among MPs and political observers about the scope of the Speaker’s powers and the rules governing parliamentary committee appointments.

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by the Atiwa East legislator, plays a key role in promoting accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, making the controversy surrounding its leadership especially significant.