Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has allowed the presentation of the Appointments Committee’s report on the vetting of Supreme Court nominees, despite objections from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Mr. Afenyo-Markin claimed the report lacked the Minority’s signatures and accused the Committee of sidelining their inputs.
However, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, argued that the Minority’s preliminary written comments had been incorporated, and that Afenyo-Markin’s last-minute request for further revisions was procedurally untenable.
In his ruling, the Speaker stated that the report was duly prepared and vetted. He noted that the Minority would still have the opportunity to present their concerns when the report is laid before the House.
“You even sought my assistance in some of these matters in my conference room, and went through them together… We thought we had settled them. Now they are being rehashed. I don’t think that is proper.” – Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
“When we are talking about a report of a committee, we are talking about the whole committee. We are not talking about individuals in certain things to suit their understanding of a report of the committee.” – Alban Bagbin
“Whatever you have to say, you can say it here on the floor as part of your contributions to the deliberations of the house. I will give you enough time to say it.” – Alban Bagbin
The Speaker’s ruling allows the report to be presented, and the Minority will have the opportunity to raise their concerns during the House’s deliberations.
