Some members of the Majority caucus on the Appointments Committee
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has been accused by the Majority in Parliament of disparaging Bernard Ahiafor, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee.
This charge stems from an argument that arose during the vetting process for Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister-designate.
The dispute began when Ahiafor objected to a traditional dance demonstration that Afenyo-Markin asked Srem-Sai to perform.
Afenyo-Markin, offended by the Chairman’s stance, called it “whimsical” and asserted that he was “rudely interrupted,” implying that the Minority was being treated unfairly.
Following the vetting process being suspended for ten minutes, the Minority stated that they had rejected Srem-Sai’s nomination.
During a press conference, Shaibu Mahama, the Member of Parliament for Daboya/Mankarigu, accused the Minority Leader of using “unparliamentary comments” against the Chairman.
Mahama emphasized that such language undermines the decorum and respect expected in legislative processes.
“Directly, we have no position; indirectly, though, the action the Chairman took was our position. The Minority Leader wanted a nominee to dance to a tune. I think that we shouldn’t reduce the vetting committee to a dance floor.
“We spoke about languages on February 25, and a day before, on February 24. Those are quite different. This is a vetting committee; the entire world is watching. A presidential nominee being asked to dance—that didn’t sit well.
“And so, the Chairman overruled it. Then, he [Afenyo-Markin] decided to use very unparliamentary words against the Chairman. He vehemently refused to withdraw them.”
Nonetheless, the Majority has suggested that the nominations be approved.
KA
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