Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has shed light on the dramatic events of Thursday, January 30, during the vetting process, attributing the chaos to direct instructions from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Appearing before the committee investigating the incident, Mr. Ahiafor expressed his disapproval of the Minority MPs’ conduct, describing it as unexpected and unbecoming. He noted that their actions appeared orchestrated, following directives from their leader.
Recounting the events, Ahiafor disclosed that Afenyo-Markin had, at one point, given sharp and stern orders to the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Jerry Shaib, using language that he found inappropriate. “I heard the Minority Leader demanding that certain individuals be summoned into the vetting room. Shortly after, I noticed people entering the room. That day, Afenyo-Markin was unusually harsh towards the Second Deputy Whip. I prefer not to repeat the words he used, but it was clear the members were acting under strict instructions,” Ahiafor said.
He further narrated how Afenyo-Markin instructed Minority MPs to turn off all microphones, a directive that disrupted the vetting proceedings.
“There was a point when someone made a remark in Twi, and suddenly cables were being pulled out. It escalated quickly into chaos. The atmosphere in the vetting room turned hostile, and I was left stunned by what I witnessed,” he recounted.
Ahiafor also emphasized his confusion about the Minority MPs’ ultimate objectives. “To some extent, I couldn’t understand what they were trying to achieve. The entire situation was disheartening,” he remarked.
The ongoing probe seeks to establish the root cause of the disruption and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Story by : Mercy Addai Turkson
