The Minority in Parliament, led by its Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has staged a walkout over the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees after a long back-and-forth with the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor.
The Caucus staged the walkout shortly after participating in the vetting of two ministerial nominees today, Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Parliament was recalled on Monday, August 24, by Speaker Alban Bagbin following a request from President John Dramani Mahama to consider urgent state business, including the nomination of Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, and three Justices for the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jr.At a press conference earlier today ahead of the vetting, Mr. Afenyo-Markin had signaled the Minority’s opposition to the fast-tracked process.
“We are not opposed to the nomination but let’s point one fact that NDC is unprincipled, inconsistent and act out of political convenience,” he said.
“NDC has appointed 10 judges for the Supreme Court; does that amount to packing of the Court as they once said?”
According to him, the manner in which the vetting was being done could undermine its legitimacy. “Proceeding to vet these nominees presents dangers, like questions over manner in which they’re vetted,” he said.
“This is the first time NDC is using its super majority to vet SC nominees in just three days after notice. Deferring vetting of three SC nominees a few weeks will not cause any harm,” he stated.
He argued there was no urgency to warrant the rushed vetting. “No provision in our Standing Orders prevents a committee from taking its time to undertake a duty. There is no vacancy and there is no emergency on the bench today,” he said.
“There was real vacancy after the helicopter crash, but the President waited for a full year to replace them.”
“Nothing about our justice system is on life support. We will vet the 2 ministerial nominees, but will not accept the 3 SC nominees,” he had indicated earlier prior to the vetting.
True to their word, the Minority participated in the vetting of the two ministerial nominees but walked out when the Committee was set to vet the Supreme Court nominees following disagreements with the Chairman, Bernard Ahiafor.
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