Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Patricia Appiagyei, has refuted claims that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is bullying the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor.

Speaking on PM Express on Joy News on Wednesday, January 29, she dismissed the characterisation of Mr Afenyo-Markin’s interactions with the Chair as intimidation, insisting that the exchanges are simply part of efforts to build consensus during the vetting process.

“I object to that word—bullying. No, it’s just trying to reach some level of consensus with the Chair,” she said when asked about allegations that the Minority Leader has been exerting undue pressure on the Committee’s leadership.

“And then the Chair also has his own way, feels that things must be done a certain way, and that’s why it comes out like that. But I wouldn’t say that it is a bullying approach to getting to build consensus.”

Madam Appiagyei acknowledged that tensions have arisen during the vetting process but attributed them to the inexperience of the committee’s current leadership rather than any deliberate attempt at intimidation.

“Both of the leadership on the committee now are totally new. The Chair of the committee has never been on the committee, and then the Ranking Member has never been on the committee. And these are some of the things that we need to iron out,” she explained.

According to her, certain established practices of the Appointments Committee have been abandoned, leading to misunderstandings and friction.

“The Appointments Committee that has been there over the years had certain practices, which are not being followed now,” she stated.

“Because we are masters of our own rules, we can determine to vary them, but the variations now are causing problems.”

She pointed to the rushed nature of the vetting process as a major factor contributing to tensions within the committee.

“A number of things have been hurried. One typical issue that has been very hurried is the fact that previously, we were meant to advertise the nomination of everybody appointed for a period of not less than two weeks,” she explained.

“At a point in time, I remember the last government even had to advertise for just about a week, in some cases three days. But as it is now, due to the exigencies of the time, we have varied most of these. That’s why we see the controversies and misunderstandings breaking out at the meetings.”

Madam Appiagyei clarified that Afenyo-Markin’s firm stance in the committee should not be misconstrued as an attempt to dominate or pressure the Chair.

Rather, she believes his approach is aimed at ensuring a smooth and efficient vetting process.

“It’s not about bullying; it’s about finding a way to make things work. The government of the day made an express indication that it would rather set up the cabinet within a period of about two weeks, which was almost impossible,” she noted.

“But as much as possible, we should try to assist so that government business can take off.”

She also sought to distinguish experience and exposure, emphasising that the Chairman’s unfamiliarity with the committee’s previous workings has contributed to some of the challenges.

“I am not saying the Chair is not experienced. I am saying exposure—because people serve on various committees, and the practices vary from one committee to the other,” she explained.

Despite the current difficulties, Madam Appiagyei expressed optimism that consensus-building efforts would improve and that the committee’s work would be conducted more smoothly in the future.

She maintained that tensions should not be mistaken for hostility, urging stakeholders to focus on collaboration rather than assigning blame.