The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has strongly condemned the chaotic scenes during the vetting of ministerial nominees, accusing the Majority caucus of attempting to manipulate the process.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament, he criticized what he described as undue pressure and intimidation from the Majority side, alleging that there were orchestrated attempts to force the approval of certain nominees without proper scrutiny.
Afenyo-Markin lamented the breakdown of order within Parliament, citing violent attacks, organized disruptions, and intimidation tactics allegedly employed to suppress the vetting process. He commended the police for their role in maintaining order, stating that without their intervention, the situation could have escalated further.
“We saw several attacks on us, and it took the vigilance of the police to ensure our safety,” he stated. “We commend them for their efforts in maintaining law and order in the chamber.”
The Minority Leader further urged the Parliamentary Service to strengthen security measures to prevent future disturbances, emphasizing that Parliament should not be reduced to a lawless arena.
Afenyo-Markin accused the Majority leadership of deliberately violating prior agreements on the number of nominees to be vetted per day. He alleged that despite an initial agreement to vet only three nominees, the Majority side attempted to introduce additional nominees without consensus, causing further tensions.
“There was a clear agreement to vet three nominees for the day, but the Majority, in disregard of due process, sought to force additional nominees into the session,” he revealed.
He further criticized the conduct of some Majority MPs, accusing them of praising nominees rather than properly scrutinizing them. He described this as an affront to the transparency and accountability expected in the vetting process.
The Minority Leader dismissed claims that his side was deliberately frustrating the vetting process, arguing that thorough scrutiny is necessary to ensure competent leadership.
“The role of Parliament is not to rubber-stamp the President’s nominees but to ensure that only qualified individuals are appointed to serve the nation,” he said.
He expressed concern over the attitude of some nominees, describing them as arrogant and dismissive. According to him, some failed to properly respond to critical questions during the vetting process, raising doubts about their suitability for public office.
The Minority Leader also took a swipe at the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, alleging that his weak leadership was allowing the Majority to manipulate the process.
He warned that the Minority would not be intimidated and would continue to demand transparency and fairness in the vetting process.
“We are determined and will not surrender to intimidation,” he asserted. “If the Majority thinks they can force their will on us, they should prepare for resistance.”
Afenyo-Markin reiterated the Minority’s commitment to upholding parliamentary integrity, urging all stakeholders to respect due process. He called on the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that the vetting process remains fair, transparent, and free from undue influence.
The tensions in Parliament underscore the deep political divisions ahead of the final approval of the ministerial nominees, with both sides preparing for a potentially contentious showdown in the coming days.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
