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On Monday, November 10, 2025, while Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was being vetted, the Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin was challenged by the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
The miscommunication began when the Minority Leader referred to the Chief Justice nominee as a “disputed nominee” in his introductory comments.
Mahama Ayariga objected right away. He claimed that MPs are not permitted by Parliament’s Standing Orders to refer to a Chief Justice nominee in this way, particularly after the House has already made a decision regarding the nominee in a prior motion.
He claims that Standing Order 123 forbids MPs from challenging matters on which Parliament has previously deliberated and made decisions. He claimed that referring to the nominee as “disputed” was illegal and should not be permitted, urging the chairman to order the ranking member to retract his remarks and issue an apology.
“I am objecting to the use of the term ‘disputed nominee’ because there is no dispute before this House,” Ayariga stated.
Afenyo-Markin, however, was totally against it. He claimed that the Majority Leader was merely attempting to stifle the Minority and prevent them from voicing their political opinions. He maintained that the regulation Ayariga cited did not apply since his remarks were a typical introductory statement rather than a debate.
The Minority Leader went on to say that Ghanaians already saw the nomination process for the new Chief Justice as political, and the Minority had every right to voice their concerns.
“We are political actors. We also have a right to speak. We cannot be prevented from expressing our view,” Afenyo-Markin argued.
Bernard Ahiafor, the committee chairman, was compelled by the drama to request calm so that the vetting could proceed.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the minority caucus believes that the dismissal of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Tokornoo under some unclear circumstances is incompatible with the nation’s legal system.
In addition to causing tension in the vetting chamber, the episode demonstrated how sharply split both sides are over Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination as Ghana’s next Chief Justice.
Gertrude Torkornoo, the former Chief Justice, was removed as a result of a standoff over the report from a different committee. The Minority has questioned the legitimacy and transparency of the procedure, calling her removal a “travesty of justice” on several occasions.
Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, intervened during the proceedings, ordering that any references to the Torkornoo report or Justice Gabriel Pwamang, who chaired the investigative panel, be expunged from the official record, noting that committee members would not have an opportunity to respond.
Despite the boycott and the deadlock, the committee proceeded with the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
