By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A drama unfolded at the tail end of the vetting of Deputy Attorney General and Justice Minister-designate, Mr. Justice Srem-Sai on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
The Ranking Member, and leader of the Minority Caucus, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, requested the nominee to demonstrate a particular dance, stating, “We are here to learn about our country. It is also about our culture.”
However, the Chairman of the committee who also doubles as the First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor found the request inappropriate for the setting and overruled the question, leading to a sharp disagreement.
Displeased with the Chairman’s ruling, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused him of being “whimsical and capricious” in his handling of proceedings.
This single statement by Mr. Afenyo-Markin resulted in a heated exchange between him and the Chairman of the Committee.
The Chairman then demanded that Mr. Afenyo-Markin withdraw his remarks, but he stood his ground, responding, “Chairman, I won’t withdraw. You rudely overruled me.”
As the standoff intensified, Mr. Ahiafor firmly asserted his authority, declaring, “To demonstrate to you that I am the chairman of this particular vetting committee that may be your last question.”
The escalating dispute ultimately led to an abrupt end of the vetting session.
When the committee members returned from a short break, the Minority Leader and the Ranking Member of the committee, announced their decision to reject Mr. Srem-Sai, Mr. Alhassan Suhuyini, and two others over the Afenyo-Ahiafor clash
The Minority’s rejection stems from what they describe as unfairness and undue interruption of the minority during the vetting process.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, emphasised that the caucus had previously cooperated with the vetting process, approving all nominees on Monday and Tuesday in a spirit of mutual respect and humour.
“We have had a smooth vetting since Monday in an atmosphere of mutual respect and a very humorous atmosphere and for all nominees that appeared before us on those two days, we approved them by consensus. Without more, the minority caucus hereby rejects the nomination of the Deputy Attorney General and that the decision will be solely yours and a majority caucus. For today, all other nominees, in furtherance of our protest, we are also rejecting them and they remain your decision as a majority caucus,” he stated.
He warned that if the situation persists, the Minority would reconsider its participation in future vetting sessions.
“On Friday, we will be available and if the posture remains the same, we will advise ourselves on the next line of action,” the Minority Leader reiterated.
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