Vetting of Deputy Justice Minister Nominee Ends Abruptly Over Committee Dispute
Parliament of Ghana – The vetting of Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Minister nominee for Justice and Attorney General, was unexpectedly cut short following a heated disagreement between Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, and the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
What started as a standard vetting process took an unexpected turn when the Minority Leader questioned the nominee about his cultural heritage and subsequently requested him to perform a traditional dance. The Chairman swiftly intervened, ruling the request inappropriate.
“Honorable nominee, the question is overruled. You are not going to answer that question,” Chairman Ahiafor declared.
However, Afenyo-Markin challenged the Chairman’s ruling, labeling it “whimsical” and “capricious.”
“Chairman, if you decide to be whimsical and capricious, it will not advance the work of this committee. Apart from the constitutional issues involved, it is also about our culture; we have had nominees speaking their dialect here,” he argued.
Ahiafor took issue with the remark and demanded a retraction. “Honorable Minority Leader, I take offense to your claim that I am being whimsical and capricious, so I urge you to withdraw those words,” he insisted.
Despite the Chairman’s request, Afenyo-Markin refused to retract his statement. “Chairman, I will not withdraw. You were whimsical and capricious in the way you overruled my question,” he maintained.
Ahiafor firmly reiterated that the committee was not a platform for demonstrations and stood by his ruling. “You will not demonstrate any dance! This is not a demonstration forum; this is the Appointments Committee. I insist that you withdraw your statement,” he asserted.
As tensions escalated, Afenyo-Markin further criticized the Chairman’s actions as “rude,” prompting Ahiafor to abruptly terminate the vetting process.
“Chairman, I will not withdraw. I am sorry, I will not withdraw. You rudely overruled me,” Afenyo-Markin reiterated.
In response, Ahiafor asserted his authority. “Well, to demonstrate to you that I am the chairman of this committee, that may be your last question,” he stated.
Following the abrupt conclusion of the vetting, Afenyo-Markin announced the Minority’s rejection of the nominee and a boycott of the remaining vetting sessions for the day.
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