By Valentia Tetteh
The Minority Caucus in Parliament is calling for the immediate resignation of the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, citing concerns over alleged bias and unprofessional conduct in the vetting process.
The Minority MPs accused Madam Jiagge-Gobah of aligning with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), thereby undermining the neutrality and integrity of the committee’s work.
Addressing the press on Friday January 31, 2025, Minority Leader Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed deep dissatisfaction with the clerk’s handling of proceedings, asserting that her actions had eroded trust in the vetting process.
“The clerk of the committee has made it evident that she is aligned with the NDC. We will officially petition the Clerk of Parliament to demand her removal from the Appointments Committee. She must either step down as a parliamentary staff or immediately rectify her approach,” Afenyo-Markin declared.
The Minority also accused Madam Jiagge-Gobah of marginalizing them in crucial aspects of the vetting process. They claimed that under the previous administration, the same clerk ensured that the then-Minority had access to draft reports before they were signed.
However, they argue that this practice has changed, with reports now being finalized without their input.
“When we were in government, this same clerk made sure the Minority reviewed reports before they were signed by the Chairperson. Today, reports are signed without our knowledge, and we only see them when they reach the floor of Parliament,” Afenyo-Markin alleged.
Additionally, the Minority raised concerns over what they described as deliberate attempts to frustrate their participation, citing instances where vetting schedules were published at midnight without prior notice.
This development adds to the escalating tensions in Parliament, following chaotic scenes during recent vetting sessions.
