The Clerk is a typical NDC member - Afenyo-Markin Alleges as Chaos Erupts over Ablakwa, Akandoh's Vetting
Accra, Ghana - 31 Jan, 2025 - A bitter dispute erupted in Ghana's Parliament on Thursday, as lawmakers from the Majority and Minority Caucuses engaged in a heated confrontation over the vetting of two ministerial nominees.
The controversy began when the Minority Caucus proposed postponing the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to Friday, citing concerns over the day's proceedings. However, the Majority Caucus rejected the proposal, insisting that the vetting should proceed as scheduled.
As tensions escalated, Minority lawmakers took drastic action, breaking tables and microphones in an attempt to disrupt the session. The chaotic scenes prompted a heightened security presence in the conference room, as lawmakers from both sides refused to back down.
The clash between the two factions brought the committee's work to a standstill, with both sides refusing to back down from their positions. The meeting was ultimately adjourned to the following day by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, of being partisan while speaking to journalists.
Afenyo-Markin alleged that Jiagge-Gobah favors the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and is not impartial in her role. He claimed that some nominees spent only five minutes answering questions, implying that the Clerk was not doing her job properly. The Minority Leader also accused the NDC of intimidating people and trying to bully others into submission.
“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.
Source: Lead News Online
