A heated debate erupted during the vetting of Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, as members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee clashed over procedural issues. The Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Committee, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, drew criticism for his prolonged opening remarks, with South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, urging him to seek redress in court rather than disrupt proceedings.
During the session on Monday, January 20, 2025, Afenyo-Markin raised concerns regarding a recent court ruling on the dismissal of chief executives, calling it a matter of national significance. He insisted the issue warranted the Committee’s attention and proceeded to read the entire court verdict as part of his opening remarks.
However, this move was met with resistance from several committee members, who argued that Afenyo-Markin’s remarks were irrelevant to the task at hand—vetting the minister-designate. The Chairman of the Committee was urged to rule him out of order, leading to an hour-long standoff.
Amid the ensuing back-and-forth, Dafeamekpor interjected, emphasizing that there was no parliamentary rule mandating a ranking member to deliver opening remarks during vetting sessions. He argued that such remarks were extended as a courtesy, which Afenyo-Markin was “aggressively abusing.”
“There is no rule of this House that demands the Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee must necessarily and willingly deliver an opening remark. It is not binding at all times,” Dafeamekpor stated. “If he continues to abuse the courtesy, it has to be withdrawn so we can deal with the substantive matter.”
The South Dayi MP further suggested that Afenyo-Markin should focus on framing his concerns into questions for the minister-designate during the vetting process rather than derailing the session. “If he gets his turn to ask questions, he could frame the issues he is raising in the form of a question directed at the nominee. If the nominee is minded, he will respond; if he is not, he may decline,” he said.
Dafeamekpor reminded Afenyo-Markin that parliamentary rules must be adhered to, referencing a legal principle from Boyefio vs. NTHC. “Where a procedure is provided for a thing to be done, it is that procedure that must be applied. He is using the wrong forum to address a matter he feels strongly about. He should go to court. This is not the forum conveniens,” he concluded.
The standoff underscores ongoing tensions within the Appointments Committee, with members calling for adherence to procedures to prevent unnecessary delays. Despite the interruption, the vetting of Governs Kwame Agbodza eventually resumed.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
