The Clerk of the Appointments Committee of Parliament has been accused of being partisan by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin after a furious altercation between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s vetting process was tense since the two parties couldn’t agree on whether to move the session forward or postpone it.
In an interview with reporters, Afenyo-Markin accused Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, the Clerk, of favoring the 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 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,” he alleged.
Citing worries over the day’s processes, the Minority suggested moving the vetting to Friday, which sparked the altercation. The majority, however, strongly objected to the request and insisted that the vetting proceed as planned.
Minority members attempted to stop the session by smashing microphones and tables as the argument swiftly descended into anarchy.
The majority insisted that the screening continue uninterrupted and asserted that the committee was adhering to its set agenda despite the chaos.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga stepped in to quell the disturbances, halting the vetting process and formally moving it until Friday, January 31.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com