Appointments Committee apologises for chaos during vetting

The Appointments Committee has issued a formal apology to Ghanaians following the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the vetting session last Thursday evening.

The session, which was meant to vet nominees Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, descended into disorder as members of the Minority and Majority Caucuses clashed.

Tensions flared when the Minority proposed rescheduling the vetting to Friday, citing concerns over the day’s proceedings.

However, the Majority members rejected this suggestion, insisting that the vetting should continue as scheduled.

The disagreement escalated, with Minority members disrupting the session by breaking tables and microphones in an effort to prevent any delay.

Despite the chaos, the Majority stood firm, arguing that the committee was following its established schedule and that the vetting should proceed without interruption. The situation prompted a heightened security presence in the conference room as tensions mounted.

Apology, assurance

Leading members to apologise, the Chairman of  the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the incident and assured the public that steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence.

He reaffirmed members’ commitment to conducting future vetting sessions with the utmost professionalism, ensuring that the integrity of the parliamentary process is upheld while it remains orderly and respectful.
 

Minority 

Reacting to the incident that occurred last Thursday evening, the Minority warned it would not be intimidated by the Majority amid ongoing tensions over the vetting of ministerial nominees.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accused the Majority of using intimidation tactics to suppress dissenting views.

“We are few, but we are a mighty few. We are firm in our conviction and determined, and we shall never surrender to intimidation.

Yesterday, we faced verbal attacks, and it took the vigilance of the police to escort us out of the chamber,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

The Minority also raised concerns over what they described as a disregard for pre-sitting agreements on the number of ministerial nominees scheduled to appear before the committee.

“We commend the police for ensuring law and order, and we urge them to continue their work impartially.

However, we are concerned that the Majority ignored prior agreements on the number of nominees to be vetted in a single sitting,” he added.