The Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has warned that the Minority Leader Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin could be sent to the Privileges Committee if he does not apologise to the Clerk of the Committee.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who is the Minority Leader, was caught on live television accusing the Clerk, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, of being biased in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He repeated these claims in press conferences and interviews. His comments reportedly led to a heated argument among Committee members, forcing the vetting process to be suspended.
Following the chaos, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin suspended four MPs and asked the Clerk to file a complaint with the police.
In an interview on PM Express, Mr Bernard Ahiafor described Mr Afenyo-Markin’s actions as reckless and unnecessary. He insisted that no Member of Parliament should behave in such a manner.
Ahiafor said Afenyo-Markin has a chance to apologise to the Clerk. If he does, the matter will be settled. However, if he refuses, the case will go to the Privileges Committee, where he could face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has defended the Minority Leader Mr. Afenyo-Markin, accusing Speaker Alban Bagbin of being unfair by suspending three of their MPs. The party believes the decision undermines their role in holding the government accountable.
Despite the controversy, Parliament’s Appointments Committee is expected to resume its vetting of deputy ministerial nominees soon.
President John Mahama is set to announce the nominees in the coming days.
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In a related story, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has detailed his account of the recent chaotic events in Parliament, accusing the Majority side of deliberately “frustrating” the vetting process and engaging in “unfortunate” conduct.
Speaking exclusively on GTV’s Breakfast Show this morning, the Minority Leader explained that while the session was scheduled to vet just three ministerial nominees, simmering tensions quickly exploded, devolving the process into a scene of shoving and the destruction of tables and microphones.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated that the Minority had approached the vetting process with a sincere intent to cooperate. He contrasted this approach with the ruling party’s past actions, stating that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had always allowed ample time for vetting when they were in power, citing that “When Nana Akufo-Addo nominated his ministers then, it took two weeks and more for the Appointments Committee to start the vetting process. In our case, we received a letter, the next day there’s vetting.” Despite what he described as a rushed process, he said he was committed to a smooth transition.
He then detailed the events that transpired on the day of the clash. The Effutu MP recounted that, after agreeing to vet three individuals, they were later told to vet four, and then five, which they still cooperated with. He further stated that they discovered that at 10 pm, the entire corridor of the vetting area was full of nominees. One of the ruling party’s senior members informed them they would be vetting everyone. Mr. Afenyo-Markin alleged that letters authorizing the vetting of this expanded list of nominees were issued without the knowledge of the Minority. This resulted in them being “ambushed” by a corridor filled with nominees, and he described the situation as a form of “blackmail” as many members of the public including chiefs were present. He also said they were subjected to insults and abuse from the Majority’s supporters.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated, “In politics all over the world, there are times where things can get out of hand,” acknowledging the heated nature of political discourse, but adding, “sometimes, if you don’t stand up for your right in a certain way, you’ll be taken for granted.” He emphasized that the Minority had been cooperative from the start but, the Majority’s conduct was unacceptable and “most unfortunate.”
This series of events culminated in a scene of unprecedented disarray, with lawmakers engaging in physical altercations, destroying furniture, and requiring police intervention to restore calm.
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