A heated dispute erupted in Parliament on Monday during the vetting of ministerial nominees, as Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of Bernard Ahiafor, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee. 

The controversy began when Mr Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about addressing the appointments of Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors by President John Dramani Mahama, only to be told by the Majority members of the Committee that such discussions were outside the scope of the ministerial vetting process. 

The disagreements delayed the vetting of Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, minister-designate for Roads and Highways. 

However, a brief five-minute suspension failed to resolve the tensions, with Mr Afenyo-Markin accusing his colleagues on the Committee, including Mr Ahiafor, who is also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of an alleged “rude behaviour.” 

“… Chairman, don’t raise your voice, you suspended sitting for five minutes. You had called me, and I said I was having a meeting with my caucus. I will join you, then the next moment you start. I want to register this protest that you have proceeded in bad faith,” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated. 

He further criticised the chairman, saying, “It’s not the understanding we had. I was responding to a point of order, you came in rudely to say you have ruled. Bring down your voice chairman, you are raising your voice. Mr Chairman all your colleagues including you have been rude to me this morning. You have been very rude,” he added. 

Mr Afenyo-Markin also, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Effutu, further complained about being interrupted, saying, “The rate at which I’m being interrupted is unacceptable. The chairman rudely interrupted me.” 

Following objections to the Minority Leader’s outburst, he apologised to the Chair. The incident highlighted the growing tensions between the Majority and Minority in Parliament, with concerns over the vetting process and the appointments of key officials.