The Appointments Committee’s minority side has abruptly withdrawn from the vetting process, claiming reservations over a previous decision by Speaker of the House of Commons Alban Bagbin that demanded the committee’s reformation.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin brought up the matter with Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor, citing the Speaker’s order, which set off the boycott.
The decision came after four Members of Parliament were suspended for two weeks for misbehavior during a tumultuous session on Thursday, January 31, 2024.
Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Majority and Minority Chief Whips, are among the suspended lawmakers.
Afenyo-Markin contended that the vetting procedure need to be halted in order to confer with the Speaker about the reconstitution of the committee.
The Speaker’s current unavailability, however, prompted Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to reschedule the meeting until Monday, February 3, 2025.
Notwithstanding Ayariga’s comments, the Minority Leader remained steadfast in their decision to abstain from the procedures and insisted that the vetting should be stopped in light of the Speaker’s decision.
