Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor has rendered an apology to the public and Speaker of Parliament for the chaos which erupted during vetting on Thursday night.
Tensions flared in Parliament on Thursday, January 30, as members of the Minority and Majority caucuses clashed during the vetting of Health Minister-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The uproar led to disruptions and damage to parliamentary furniture. Many Ghanaians condemned the act and criticised the conduct of the MPs mandated to uphold rule of law.
However, before vetting could begin on Friday, January 31, 2025, Bernard Ahiafor in his opening remarks assured Ghanaians of the Committee’s commitment to improve the country’s democracy after apologising for the disruption.
“What happened last night is totally unacceptable and the committee wants to render an apology to the Speaker and the general public and we are committed to working to grow our democracy,” he stated.
One Ghana Movement in a statement strongly condemned the chaos and vandalism of state properties by Members of Parliament during vetting on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The Movement in a statement on Friday, January 31, 2025 said the conduct of the MPs were “undignified and a blatant affront to the nation’s democratic values.
According to the Movement, the MPs by their conduct in the House has eroded the public trust in state institutions.
“The conduct of certain committee members not only tarnished Ghana’s democratic image but also eroded public trust in state institutions. Such reckless actions represent a waste of national resources and a disregard for the very citizens who entrusted these officials with power,” the statement added.
