Speaker can’t remove PAC Chair — Kennedy Osei Nyarko schools A Plus on parliamentary procedure

Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has cautioned his colleague, 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, the MP described A Plus’ petition to the Speaker of Parliament as “dead on arrival,” arguing that the Speaker lacks the authority to remove any member of parliament from a committee.

“My colleague A Plus should take his time to learn the parliamentary rules and procedures properly. He should know and understand that the Speaker has no powers to remove any member of parliament from any committee — not even the leader of government business in the House has such powers,” Mr. Osei Nyarko wrote.

He explained that changes to parliamentary committees can only be made by the leadership of the caucuses through the Committee of Selection, not by the Speaker.

“If he thinks the Hon. Member has done anything unparliamentary, he should invoke the appropriate sections of the Standing Orders against her,” he added. “But to call the Speaker to remove her as the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee is nothing but political bravado.”

The Akim Swedru legislator advised A Plus to withdraw the petition immediately “to avoid any embarrassment to himself.”

A Plus, a musician-turned-politician and now a Member of Parliament, recently petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin to remove Abena Osei-Asare, citing alleged conflicts of interest and misconduct.

His move has sparked debate among MPs and political watchers about parliamentary procedure and the limits of the Speaker’s authority.

The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by the Atiwa East MP, plays a crucial role in examining government expenditure and ensuring accountability in public finances — making any controversy around its leadership particularly sensitive.

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