A heated confrontation broke out in Parliament on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, during the vetting of Supreme Court nominee Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, when tensions flared between Appointments Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The dispute unfolded in full view of the cameras and the public, underscoring the growing friction within the vetting committee as it reviewed one of President John Mahama’s latest judicial appointments.
The clash began when Afenyo-Markin posed a question to the nominee that Chairman Ahiafor deemed repetitive, arguing that the issue had already been addressed. Citing parliamentary procedure, Ahiafor interjected and instructed the nominee not to respond.
This triggered a fiery reaction from Afenyo-Markin, who accused the chairman of deliberately curtailing scrutiny of the nominee.
“Chairman, if you want to find a way to stop this vetting, I will yield to you. Stop what you are doing. The whole country is watching. Stop what you are doing. If you want us to fold up, I am all for it, and we will discharge her and let us go,” the Minority Leader said, visibly frustrated.
He continued, alleging an orchestrated effort to protect the nominee from rigorous questioning:
“If you are strategically planning that a Supreme Court nominee should not go through this, so be it, but this question is not out of order. I have done research and worked overnight, and I know what I am asking.”
Chairman Ahiafor refused to back down, firmly defending his position and denying any bias or attempt to shield the nominee.
“I have a short response to you. The public is not only watching me. They are watching all of us, and the jury is out there. I cannot be intimidated by you. I have an indomitable spirit. I still rule that the question has been asked and the nominee shall not answer this question again,” Ahiafor declared.
The tense exchange, which played out live, left the committee room charged, as observers noted the deepening political divide over judicial appointments.
Justice Amaleboba remained composed throughout the confrontation, though the incident cast a spotlight on the increasingly contentious nature of the vetting process under the current administration.
As the Appointments Committee continues its vetting of nominees to the highest court, Wednesday’s standoff signals the likelihood of more politically charged proceedings ahead.
