Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee of Parliament of being partisan following a heated clash between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
Tensions flared during the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, as the two sides disagreed over whether to proceed with the session or reschedule it.
Speaking to journalists, Afenyo-Markin directly accused the Clerk, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, of favouring the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The nominees—where we have to ask them questions, we do. Nothing will stop us from asking the necessary questions. It’s not every nominee; some of their nominees spent five minutes. NDC is always up to intimidating people. They think that they must always bully.
“We will not accept any bullying. They can call us micro-minority, they can say whatever they want to say. We have been cooperating with them. The Clerk to the Committee is a partisan clerk. She’s a typical NDC member, she agrees with them and she advertises and informs people to come. January 29, there was no agreement, no meeting, 10: pm she advertises,” he alleged.
The confrontation began when the Minority proposed rescheduling the vetting to Friday, citing concerns over the day’s proceedings. However, the Majority firmly rejected the request, insisting that the vetting should continue as scheduled.
The disagreement quickly escalated into chaos, with Minority members disrupting the session by breaking tables and microphones in an attempt to halt proceedings.
Despite the disorder, the Majority maintained that the committee was following its established schedule and insisted that the vetting proceed without interruption.
In response to the unrest, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga intervened, suspending the vetting and officially rescheduling it for Friday, January 31.