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‘All your colleagues, including you have been rude to me’ – Afenyo-Markin tells Ahiafor in heated clash
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised serious concerns about the conduct of Bernard Ahiafor, the chairman of the Appointments Committee, during the vetting of ministerial nominees on Monday, January 20, 2025.
The dispute occurred when Afenyo-Markin attempted to address issues related to the vetting of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors, a subject the majority argued was beyond the scope of the ministerial vetting process.
The vetting of Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, was scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, but the session was delayed due to disagreements. By 11:54 AM, the vetting had not yet started. This led to a brief five-minute suspension of the proceedings, but the tensions did not subside.
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Afenyo-Markin was particularly critical of Chairman Ahiafor, accusing him and other members, including the deputy speaker, of rude behaviour. In an emotionally charged exchange, Afenyo-Markin told the committee, “Chairman, don’t raise your voice; you suspended sitting for 5 minutes. You had called me, and I said I was having a meeting with my caucus. I will join you, and then the next moment you start. I want to register this protest that you have proceeded in bad faith.”
He went on to accuse Ahiafor of proceeding with the session even though he was not present: “It’s not the understanding we had. I was responding to a point of order; you came in rudely to say you have ruled. Bring down your voice, chairman; you are raising your voice.”
Afenyo-Markin, visibly frustrated, added, “Mr. Chairman, all your colleagues, including you, have been rude to me this morning. You have been very rude. The rate at which I’m being interrupted is unacceptable. The chairman rudely interrupted me.”
Despite his outburst, Afenyo-Markin later apologised to the chairman after objections were raised regarding his comments. The situation highlighted ongoing tensions between the majority and minority members, further complicating the ministerial vetting process. As of now, the vetting of Kwame Governs Agbodza was yet to proceed.
