Afenyo-Markin and Some NPP walk out on Appointment Committee during Ayine vetting

Drama unfolded during the vetting of Attorney General-designate Dr. Dominic Ayine before Parliament’s Appointments Committee when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin walked out of the proceedings.

The incident occurred on Monday, January 13, and was triggered by a question from Suame MP John Darko regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Dr. Ayine’s law firm. Although the Committee Chairman, Bernard Ahiafor, believed the nominee had previously addressed this issue, Mr. Darko insisted on revisiting it.

Chairman Ahiafor ultimately ruled the question out of order, leading to a heated exchange. Mr. Darko accused the Chairman of being unfair and claimed his questions were being suppressed.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin, the Ranking Member on the Committee, sided with Mr. Darko and accused the Chairman of bias against members of the NPP.

“Chairman, with the greatest respect, I have observed consistently the way you go at my members, especially the young ones, the new ones, it’s not the right way. I’ve been quiet watching, and I will just be pinching you ‘Mr chairman. Please take it easy. Take it easy’ but the way it is going, It is not too right,” the Minority Leader said.

Tensions escalated when the Chairman stood his ground, refusing to reverse his decision.

In protest, Mr Afenyo-Markin walked out of the session, followed by some other NPP committee members.