The Foreign Affairs Minister nominee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has rejected claims made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that he was not supposed to appear before the Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30, but was smuggled into the chamber, leading to the chaotic scenes.

Mr Ablakwa, who appeared before the Committee on Friday, January 31, asserted that he had been properly invited and did not "smuggle" himself into the session.

In his remarks, Ablakwa expressed his displeasure with the accusations made by Afenyo-Markin. “I am not some hooligan who will be smuggled into the Appointments Committee's meeting to be vetted,” he stated.

He further emphasised that not only him but also his chiefs and respected ambassadors were concerned by the claims, questioning whether he had been indeed invited to the vetting session.

The nominee also demanded an apology from Afenyo-Markin for what he described as unfounded allegations.

"We demand an unqualified apology for his acts," Ablakwa declared, making it clear that such accusations were unwarranted and damaging to his reputation.

Earlier in the day, Afenyo-Markin had held a press conference in which he stated that Ablakwa and other nominees were not scheduled to appear before the Committee on Thursday and questioned the legitimacy of his appearance.

Subsequently, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee stated emphatically that the nominee was not smuggled into the chamber but was properly invited.

He went on to render an apology to him and all who had come with him for the vetting.