Afenyo-Markin called Jerry Ahmed ‘silly’ and told him he wasn’t sticking to his vetting role

Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has alleged that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin insulted Weija-Gbawe MP, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, during a heated vetting session on January 30, 2025.

According to him, Afenyo-Markin attacked Shaib causing tensions during the proceedings.

“Afenyo-Markin called Jerry Shaib silly and told him he wasn’t doing what he brought him to the vetting to do. Any member of the committee who listened to them heard the insults,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on February 3, 2025, Ahiafor also addressed concerns over the Appointments Committee’s decision to proceed with vetting President Mahama’s ministerial nominees despite the Minority’s boycott on January 31, 2025.

He clarified that the committee maintained a quorum, allowing them to continue their work lawfully.

“The suspension of two out of the eleven members did not mean we could not work,” he stated.

According to Ahiafor, the Minority’s walkout stemmed from misinformation by Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, who allegedly claimed that Speaker Bagbin had ordered a halt to the committee’s activities pending a reconstitution.

“The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said the Speaker had postponed the meeting to Monday, February 3 at 11:00 AM and that the Committee could continue its work,” Ahiafor reiterated.

The revelation comes amid heightened tensions in Parliament following chaotic scenes during the vetting process.

The disturbances led to the suspension of four MPs, Rockson Dafeamekpor, Hassan Tampuli, Frank Annor Dompreh, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib, by Speaker Alban Bagbin.

AM/KA

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