Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointments Committee Alexander Afenyo-Markin (in white top) verbally abusing the Clerk to the Committee
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The Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has led his caucus members on the Committee to verbally abuse the Clerk of the Committee.

Their actions disrupted proceedings which had started few minutes after the minister nominee had taken his oath and the Chairman of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, reading an apology to Ghanaians on behalf of the House, following the chaos that marred the process the previous night.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Confusion erupts among members of Appointments Committee over vetting of Akandoh and Ablakwa

The Minority, who walked into the Committee Room few minutes after the vetting of the Minister-designate for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, had commenced, started calling the clerk names, saying she is an NDC and her aim is to do the bidding of the party.

According to him, the Clerk had commenced the sitting without the Minority, saying her intent is to do the bidding of the NDC.

Afenyo-Markin, moments after walking into the room, said: “You this Clerk, you are not fair to us. No opposition has been able to help a government form its cabinet as quickly as possible as this. And you this partisan Clerk, when I was Majority Leader, you insist that the Minority must be heard. Today, you call for a meeting without us? You think we are going to be quiet?” he ranted, and started a “shame on you” chant which the other members on the Minority joined in chorus.

Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the Appointments Committee Alexander Afenyo-Markin (in white top) verbally abusing the Clerk to the Committee

The Minority Leader earlier accused the Clerk with same allegations on Thursday night following the chaos that ended the vetting abruptly.

Speaking after a chaotic session on Thursday night, Afenyo-Markin did not mince words in expressing his frustration.

“The committee is on a partisan track. Indeed, she is a typical NDC. She agrees with them and then advertises and informs people to come,” he had indicated earlier.

According to the Minority Leader, the Clerk acted outside the usual procedures by unilaterally making decisions without agreement from both sides.

“The practice has always been that the chairman and ranking would agree on who and who will come. Yesterday, there was no agreement. The chairman was with me—no meeting. Then, at 10 pm, the Clerk advertised for 10 this morning,” the Effutu MP stated.

Meanwhile, the Minority Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, after the disruptions that halted the Friday vetting for about 15 mins, told TV3’s George Kwanning who was at the Committee room that, the Minority had informed the Clerk of having a 30-minute caucus meeting only for them to arrive to find out that the process had began.

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, intervened once again, calling for a truce over the disturbances created by the Minority, before the leadership resolved the issues for the vetting to resume.

Political analyst blames chaos at Appointments Committee on Ahiafor’s magnanimity