The vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, nominee for Foreign Affairs Minister, before Parliament’s Appointments Committee took a contentious turn on Friday, as a disagreement over the committee’s composition led to a premature end to the proceedings. The clash, which unfolded during a marathon session that extended into the evening, stemmed from a directive issued by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, reconstituting the committee following a chaotic late-night sitting on Thursday.
The Speaker’s decision to dismiss four members of the Appointments Committee, including sitting Members of Parliament, sparked a heated debate during the vetting. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Ranking Member on the committee, argued that the Speaker’s directive warranted an immediate suspension of the proceedings. He contended that the changes to the committee’s composition could potentially affect its quorum, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the vetting process.
However, Mahama Ayariga, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the committee, dismissed Afenyo-Markin’s concerns, asserting that the Speaker’s directive had no bearing on the committee’s ability to meet quorum requirements. Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor sided with the NDC members, stating that the vetting could proceed as planned. He added that any Minority MPs who felt uncomfortable with the Speaker’s decision were free to excuse themselves from the session.
Ahiafor’s remarks drew sharp criticism from Afenyo-Markin, the Effutu MP, who took offense and demanded that the chairman retract his statement. He warned that failure to do so would compel the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus to withdraw from the committee’s proceedings altogether. Ahiafor, however, refused to back down, interpreting Afenyo-Markin’s reaction as a de facto recusal from the session.
The standoff culminated in Chairman Ahiafor discharging Ablakwa from the vetting, effectively bringing the session to an abrupt close. Following the decision, the Minority Leader and his team walked out of the proceedings, leaving the NDC members to continue with the remaining sessions.
The incident underscores the deepening tensions within Parliament’s Appointments Committee, as political divisions continue to complicate the vetting process for key government nominees. The fallout from Friday’s session raises questions about the committee’s ability to function effectively amid ongoing disputes over procedural matters and committee composition. Watch the video below
As the dust settles, stakeholders are left to ponder the implications of this latest clash between leaders of the house for Ghana’s legislative purposes and the political landscape as a whole. Especially taking into account the standoff the 8th Parliament suffered during its last days.