News:
January 13, 2025
Ranking Member on the Appointment Committee, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has strongly objected to the Majority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza’s attempt to intimidate a first-time Member of Parliament, Sammi Awuku in his attempt to ask questions at the first sitting of the Committee.
According to the Majority Whip Sammi Awuku is not a member of the Committee and cannot ask more than one question since he is a friend to the Committee.
But the Minority Leader pointed out in his objections that his side has cooperated with the Majority side of the House and any attempt to intimidate a first-timer the effect is known to the Majority when he pinches them small.
He also raised concerns over the manner in which the chairman of the Appointment Committee, Bernard Ahiafor raises his voice at members from the Minority side of the House.
“I have been calm Hon. Kofi Armah Buah, try to take the power from the chair when I talk you have issue with it. You have to tolerate us enough and be patient; so far your side has not done the needed scrutiny. Again, you are in government, we will be the one to do the scrutiny please if the rule of this game is tolerance do not heckle me; do not act as if you are in opposition, if it’s your style to attack me you will have it”.
He assured to accord every member of the committee with the needed respect and saying their side will treat all with the needed respect. “We are here in good faith; the minority has cooperated with the chairman of the Committee for us to get here in good faith since the letter got to us in Parliament.”
Again, the vetting was supposed to start on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 but the Chairman reached out to me regarding some urgency and I convinced my side because it was said the president needed his people, he stated.
“I am here to do the people’s work with my team; the posture of attack on me, the Minority, I will not take it anymore when my presentation has to receive interjections. Go and check if then Minority Leader, Bagbin and Haruna were treated that way.
I know governance and I will support, but no one should use this to attack and frustrate us; it will not work, we are not going to boycott the sitting”, he concluded.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com