The vetting of Deputy Attorney General and Justice Minister-designate, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, ended abruptly on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 due to a confrontation that occurred between the Chairman and the Minority Leader.
Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, and Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin, the Minority Leader and Ranking Member, engaged in a heated confrontation over a demand made by the latter during the vetting of Dr. Srem-Sai.
The tension came after Afenyo-Markin demanded from the nominee, a demonstration of cultural dance, arguing that the vetting was also an opportunity to showcase Ghanaian tradition.
“We are here to learn about our country. It is also about our culture,” Afenyo-Markin stated, defending his request.
However, the Chairman swiftly overruled the question, deeming it inappropriate for the setting.
“Honourable nominee, the question is overruled. You are not going to answer that question,” Mr Ahiafor ruled.
The Effutu lawmaker, who was visibly displeased with the Chairman’s ruling, challenged it and accused the Chairman of being “whimsical and capricious” in his handling of proceedings.
“Chairman, if you decide to be whimsical and capricious, it will not advance the work of this committee. Apart from the constitutional issues involved, it is also about our culture. We have had nominees speaking their dialect here,” Afenyo-Markin argued.
The Chairman, taking offence at the remark, demanded an immediate withdrawal.
“Honourable Minority Leader, I take offence from the fact that you are saying that I am being whimsical and capricious, so I will urge upon you to withdraw those words,” Ahiafor stated.
Afenyo-Markin, however, refused to comply with the Chairman’s directive.
“Chairman, I will not withdraw. You were whimsical and capricious in the way you overruled my question,” he insisted.
The exchange escalated when Afenyo-Markin accused the Chairman of being “rude” in dismissing his request.
“Chairman, I will not withdraw, I am sorry, I will not withdraw. You rudely overruled me,” he said.
At this point, the Chairman moved to assert his authority, warning the Minority Leader that he had asked his final question.
“To demonstrate to you that I am the chairman of this particular committee, that may be your last question,” Mr Ahiafor declared.
The escalating dispute forced the Chairman to abruptly terminate the vetting process, bringing the session to an unexpected close.
In response, Afenyo-Markin announced a rejection of the nominee’s approval and a boycott of the rest of the day’s vetting proceedings.
I will resist attempt to turn the vetting room into a dance floor – Ahiafor tells Afenyo-Markin
