Minority Leader Accuses Clerk of Appointments Committee NDC Member Amid Vetting Chaos

Tensions erupted in Parliament as Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee of being partisan, following a heated standoff between the Majority and Minority caucuses during a vetting session.

The controversy unfolded during the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, where the two sides clashed over whether to proceed with the session or reschedule it. The disagreement led to a chaotic scene in the chamber, with minority members reportedly breaking tables and microphones in protest.

Addressing journalists, Afenyo-Markin alleged that the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, was biased in favour of the opposition 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 a 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,” Afenyo-Markin claimed.

The standoff began when the minority proposed postponing the vetting to Friday, citing concerns over the proceedings. The majority, however, firmly opposed the request, insisting that the vetting continue as scheduled. The dispute quickly escalated into physical disorder, with minority members resorting to disruptive actions in an effort to halt the session.

Despite the chaos, the majority argued that the committee was following its established schedule and insisted that the process should proceed uninterrupted. In response to the situation, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga intervened, suspending the session and officially rescheduling the vetting to Friday, January 31.

The incident underscores the deepening tensions between the two political factions, raising concerns about the smooth conduct of parliamentary affairs in the coming weeks.

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