Watch heated PAC sitting featuring Edem Agbana, Atta-Mills, and Abena Osei-Asare

A heated exchange erupted among members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament during its sitting on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The exchanges were triggered after a former Ministry of Food and Agriculture procurement officer alleged that a takeover of a warehouse by “party people” disrupted grain distribution during a dry spell.

The former procurement officer appeared before the committee alongside the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, John Dumelo, to respond to questions regarding activities within the sector.

Why PAC abruptly halted GH¢68 billion government arrears probe

In videos sighted by GhanaWeb, and shared by Class FM and JoyNews on Facebook, the claim of a “party people” takeover, which did not appear to sit well with some committee members, sparked a four-way exchange.

It involved Eric Edem Agbana, MP for Ketu North, cum member of the committee; Abena Osei Asare, Chairperson and MP for Atiwa East; Davis Opoku Ansah, Vice Chairperson and MP for Mpraeso; and Samuel Atta-Mills, Ranking Member and MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem.

Details of what transpired indicate that the Ketu North MP, Eric Edem Agbana, appeared dissatisfied with the former procurement officer’s claim about “party people” disrupting grain distribution during a dry spell and sought further clarification from her.

Agbana argued that the committee operates on the basis of proper record-keeping, making it crucial for the officer to clearly explain her statement and specify what she meant by “party people” or which party she was referring to.

“We beg you, Mr Chairman, we are all here. She made a categorical statement. She is in a position to explain herself. We shouldn't let the minister (sic). We all heard her. Which party people? Are you saying that individuals took over the suppliers place for which reason they failed to supply up to GH¢19 million? She should be able to answer respectfully,” Agbana quizzed.

An explanation was subsequently provided by the Deputy Minister, John Dumelo; however, Agbana appeared dissatisfied and insisted that the procurement officer herself respond.

In response, the Ranking Member, Samuel Atta-Mills, rebuked Agbana and questioned his approach, asking whether he was suggesting that he was not effectively performing his duties as Ranking Member of the committee.

“Are you trying to tell me I’m not doing my job well? The minister has stepped in and the minister is telling us it was Ghanaians who went there,” Atta-Mills fumed, demanding respect from his colleague, Edem Agbana.

The committee’s Chairperson, Abena Osei Asare, intervened during the heated exchange, calling for order and urging members to cease the argument.

She appeared displeased as she addressed Agbana, indicating that he was not more partisan than his colleague, Samuel Atta-Mills, noting that he was taking over affairs of the committee.

“... I think we should end it. You are not more party-like than your chairman who is here taking over the affairs of what we are doing. Respectfully,” she demanded.

Eric Edem Agbana, who appeared visibly displeased with the chairperson’s remarks, stated that he took exception to her reference to partisanship.

“Madam Chair, respectfully, I take strong exception to that statement. I asked the question because this is a committee of Parliament. Parliament is a house of records… Madam chair, respectfully. I never said I was more partisan than anybody. It is important for these statements to be placed in proper context so, I respectfully asked that the person should further explain what she meant by party people. I did not mean to say that I was more partisan than anyone,” he said.

Later in the videos, the sitting continued after the tensions and heated exchanges subsided.

Read excerpts from the video below;

Edem Agbana: We beg you, Mr Chairman, we are all here. She made a categorical statement. She is in a position to explain herself. We shouldn't let the minister (sic). We all heard her. Which party people? Are you saying that individuals took over the suppliers place for which reason they failed to supply up to GH¢19 million? She should be able to answer respectfully.

Atta-Mills: Are you trying to tell me I’m not doing my job well? The minister has stepped in and the minister is telling us it was Ghanaians who went there.

Opoku Ansah: To be fair, if we are talking about distribution of rice, warehouse, contracts and somebody says ‘a party’, the person never said a political party. A party to this one could be a party or the person who even brought in the rice or it could be the distributor. So please, the woman was very clear that ‘a party’ prevented the distribution of rice.

Atta-Mills: Edem, I’m also a party member. Listen, please show a little bit of respect for the Chairman.

Edem Agbana: Respectfully, I’m only saying that these things are for public records. It is important for her to say what she said and validate it. She should be able to tell us because this is a committee of records. That is what we are saying.

Atta-Mills: Madam, when you made reference to party, what did you mean by that?

Former Agriculture Ministry procurement officer: I was misunderstood. I meant other people that were not part of the contract that came around the place and the agent of the supplier who also did not give us access.

Osei Asare: She has spoken. I think we should end it. You are not more party-like than your chairman who is here taking over the affairs of what we are doing. Respectfully.

Edem Agbana: Madam Chair, respectfully I take strong exception to that statement. I asked the question because this is a committee of parliament. Parliament is a house of records… Madam chair, respectfully. I never said I was more partisan than anybody. It is important for these statements to be placed in proper context so, I respectfully asked that the person should further explain what she meant by party people. I did not mean to say that I was more partisan than anyone.

Osei Asare: She gave you a response yet you were not pleased with the response.

PAC sitting suspended over quorum in Parliament

Opoku Ansah: Honorable members, please let us respect the Chair and let's respect the fact that I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and I think that I only gave Edem the respect of doing a follow-up.

Atta-Mills: I am in charge here, quiet. Why can’t you guys show a little bit of respect to me? What do you mean?

Watch the videos below:

MAG/AE

'I was sacked like a goat' Henry Quartey fumes after being chased away at Newtown

TWI NEWS