The vetting of Deputy Attorney General and Justice Minister-designate, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, February 26, after a heated confrontation between the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The tension erupted when Afenyo-Markin asked the nominee to demonstrate a cultural dance, arguing that vetting should include an appreciation of Ghanaian traditions.
"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.
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"Honourable nominee, the question is overruled. You are not going to answer that question," Mr Ahiafor ruled.
Afenyo-Markin, visibly displeased, challenged the ruling, accusing 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," the Minority Leader 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," Mr Ahiafor stated.
Afenyo-Markin, however, refused to comply.
"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.
