Appointments Committee Chair Acknowledges Minority’s Frustration During Chaotic Vetting

Accra, Ghana – February 5, 2025 – The Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, has addressed the circumstances leading to the disruptions during the recent ministerial vetting process, acknowledging the frustrations faced by the Minority caucus.
Speaking before the committee investigating the disruptions, Ahiafor noted that while efforts were made to reach agreements with the Minority, some of these agreements were later disregarded, escalating tensions.
Frustrations and External Pressures
“I must say that sometimes I see frustration on the part of the Minority. Because sometimes there was some external pressure on them, which resulted in actions that ordinarily should not have happened,” Ahiafor stated.
His remarks come as part of ongoing discussions on improving parliamentary vetting procedures and fostering smoother engagements between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
January 30 Parliamentary Clash
The chaos erupted on January 30, 2025, when the Minority opposed the vetting of Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. The resistance escalated into a physical altercation between MPs, leading to damage of parliamentary property, including tables and microphones.
As a result, four MPs were suspended, prompting the Minority to stage a walkout. This left the Majority to continue the vetting of Ablakwa and other nominees on January 31, 2025.
Way Forward
The ongoing investigation aims to recommend measures to prevent future disruptions and enhance parliamentary vetting processes. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accepted full responsibility for the disturbances, and Speaker Alban Bagbin has since lifted the suspensions on the affected MPs.