VIDEO: Appointments Committee row halts vetting of Akandoh and Ablakwa
A session of the Appointments Committee of Parliament descended into chaos late on Thursday as tensions between Minority and Majority members flared over the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The disagreement began when the Minority proposed postponing the vetting to Friday, citing concerns about the day’s proceedings. However, the Majority rejected the proposal, insisting the process should continue as planned.
The dispute quickly escalated and some tables as well as microphones were destroyed amid a tussle between some MPs. Security personnel were called in to manage the growing tension in the conference room.
The Minority remained firm, arguing that an agreement had been reached to vet only four nominees before adjourning. They insisted that no further candidates should be assessed beyond that.
As both sides refused to compromise, the committee’s work ground to a halt, bringing proceedings to a standstill.
Reports suggest that the Minority sought to defer the vetting of the Ministers-designate for Health and Foreign Affairs, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the following day.
As tensions subsided after about 30 minutes, the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga announced that the damaged microphones made it difficult to continue the vetting process.
He said the rescheduled vetting would take place in the Speaker's Conference Room, a smaller venue that might not have enough capacity to accommodate members of the public. Ayariga also apologized on behalf of his colleagues for the unfortunate incident.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, defended his side’s stance, stressing that nothing would prevent them from asking the “necessary questions” during the vetting process.
“You are aware that some of the nominees, we don’t even ask them questions. Where we have to ask the relevant questions, we ask. Nothing will stop us from asking the necessary questions,” he stated.
He went on to accuse the Minority of attempting to intimidate the Majority, saying, “NDC is always out to intimidate people. Always bullying. They can call us a micro-minority. They can say whatever they want to say. We’ve been cooperating with them.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin also alleged that an initial agreement had been made to vet three nominees, but the Minority later attempted to push for additional nominees without consensus.
“Today, we agreed to do three. The committee is on a partisan track. Indeed, she is a typical NDC. She agrees with them and then informs people to come,” he said, without mentioning any specific names.
He also accused the Clerk of the Appointments Committee of being partisan, alleging that she is working in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Watch the video below;
‘Total pandemonium!’ – Tensions flare as MPs clash, with the appointments committee still divided on whether to proceed with vetting tonight!
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) January 30, 2025
Watch live here: https://t.co/AdQfEqQx9M#CitiNewsroom#CitiVerify pic.twitter.com/CI7pho6FvE