Withdraw petition against PAC chair to avoid embarrassment – Osei Nyarko to A-Plus

The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has urged his colleague, Kwame Asare Obeng — popularly known as A Plus — to withdraw his petition seeking the removal of Abena Osei-Asare as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

He cautioned that the move could lead to personal embarrassment and unnecessary controversy.

A Plus, who represents the people of Gomoa Central, filed the petition on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, requesting that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, remove Abena Osei-Asare from her position. He argued that her continued role as PAC Chair presents a conflict of interest since the committee is currently reviewing matters that occurred during her tenure as Deputy Minister of Finance.

In response, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, in a Facebook post, described the petition as procedurally flawed and outside the powers of the Speaker. He explained that the Speaker has no authority to remove any Member of Parliament from a committee, noting that even the Leader of Government Business in Parliament cannot effect such changes.

“My colleague A Plus should take his time to learn the parliamentary rules and procedures properly,” he wrote. “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 further clarified that the authority to make changes to committee memberships or leadership rests with the Committee of Selection, through the leadership of the party caucuses.

“His petition to the Speaker to remove Hon. Abena Osei-Asare is dead on arrival,” he stated, urging A Plus to withdraw the petition promptly “to avoid any embarrassment to himself.”

He added that if A Plus believes the PAC Chair has acted improperly, he should use the appropriate provisions of Parliament’s Standing Orders instead of seeking action outside the Speaker’s mandate.

Mr. Osei Nyarko emphasized the importance of respecting parliamentary procedures and warned against “political bravado” that could undermine the dignity and integrity of Parliament. He urged all lawmakers to act responsibly while navigating parliamentary rules and processes.