Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has alleged that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin instigated Weija-Gbawe MP, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, by insulting him during the heated vetting session on January 30, 2025.
In an exclusive interview with TV3’s Alfred Ocansey on Monday, February 3, Ahiafor disclosed that Afenyo-Markin verbally attacked Shaib, triggering tensions during the proceedings.
“Afenyo-Markin called Jerry Shaib silly and told him he wasn’t doing what he brought him to the vetting to do. Any member of the committee who listened to them heard the insults,” Ahiafor claimed.
His revelation comes amid growing tensions in Parliament, following chaotic scenes during the vetting process, which led to the suspension of four MPs—Rockson Dafeamekpor, Hassan Tampuli, Frank Annor Dompreh, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib—by Speaker Alban Bagbin.
Vetting continues despite Minority walkout
Meanwhile, Mr. Ahiafor also addressed concerns over the Appointments Committee’s decision to proceed with vetting President Mahama’s ministerial nominees, despite the Minority’s boycott on January 31. He clarified that the committee maintained a quorum, allowing them to lawfully continue their work.
“The suspension of two of the eleven members did not mean we could not work,” he explained.
According to Ahiafor, the Minority’s decision to walk out was based on misinformation from Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, who claimed Speaker Bagbin had ordered a halt to the committee’s activities pending a reconstitution.
However, Ahiafor refuted this claim, stating that Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga had clarified that the Speaker had only postponed the meeting to February 3 at 11:00 AM.
“The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said the Speaker had postponed the meeting to Monday, February 3 at 11:00 AM and that the Committee could continue its work,” Ahiafor reiterated.
Concerns over vetting conduct
Expressing concerns about the nature of questioning during the vetting process, Ahiafor admitted that some of the questions posed were problematic.
“I’m worried about some questions asked during vetting. Some questions that will create humor are allowed during the vetting,” he remarked.
While acknowledging occasional tensions during the process, he maintained that the vetting would proceed despite disruptions.
“To some extent, I feel disrespected during vetting, but in every society, there are some who are morally upright and dissident, ” he added.
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