Alexanda Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Ranking Member on Appointments Committee of Parliament
Senior Governance Advisor at the African Parliamentary Network (APNAC), Prof. David Abdulai, has criticized the conduct of the Minority Leader and Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during the vetting process.
According to Prof. Abdulai, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which Afenyo-Markin leads in Parliament, should be concerned about his behavior and ensure that he asks only relevant questions to assess the competence and suitability of ministerial nominees.
This comment follows tensions that arose when Afenyo-Markin requested that Dr. Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister-designate for Justice, demonstrate a traditional dance, arguing that the vetting process was also an opportunity to learn about Ghanaian culture.
However, Bernard Ahiafor deemed the request inappropriate and overruled it, leading to a confrontation. Afenyo-Markin, displeased with the decision, accused the Chairman of being whimsical and capricious in handling the proceedings.
In response, Ahiafor defended his ruling, asserting his authority and stressing that he would not allow the vetting room to become a dance floor.
The disagreement escalated when Ahiafor asked Afenyo-Markin to retract his remarks. However, the Minority Leader refused, saying, “Chairman, I won’t withdraw. You rudely overruled me.”
“In Parliament, when unparliamentary language is used, our rules require a withdrawal and, in some cases, an apology. He is even lucky that I did not cite him for contempt,” Ahiafor stated.
Firmly asserting his authority, Ahiafor added, “To demonstrate to you that I am the Chairman of this particular vetting committee, that may be your last question.”
The heated exchange ultimately disrupted the session, leading to its abrupt end.
Commenting on the incident in an interview with TV3, monitored by GhanaWeb, Prof. David Abdulai described Afenyo-Markin’s question as “odd.”
He emphasized the need for seriousness in the vetting process, warning that Ghana risks international mockery due to poor vetting standards for ministerial nominees.
“The question was odd because the nominee is being vetted to establish whether they are suitable and capable of holding the position of Deputy Attorney General. All questions should be geared towards assessing their capability and qualifications—not about dancing.
“I think we should be very serious in this country. At a certain point, people are laughing at our country, our Parliament, and the Minority Leader. His party should be concerned. If you go to an interview, it is understandable to be asked about your suitability for the role. But if I go into an interview and they ask me to dance Agbadza, what are they trying to prove?
“If this is how our leadership in Parliament intends to vet people, then they should reconsider the entire vetting process. The Standing Orders should prescribe the type of questions that are relevant to a nominee’s experience and credentials.”
Prof. Abdulai continued: “I heard another nominee was asked to sing—are they being appointed as a singer? This is just common sense. As a professor, I wonder where the ball was dropped in our educational system for our leadership to behave this way. They should know better than to act carelessly on live TV. The entire nation is watching, and I think many people will be disgusted.”
KA
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