The Minority in parliament staged a walkout during the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees on Thursday, protesting what it described as an unconstitutionally rushed timetable and a departure from parliamentary precedent.
Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus raised sharp objections before the Appointments Committee, clarifying that their protest was directed at the process rather than the qualifications of the individual nominees.
Afenyo-Markin argued that nominations introduced earlier in the week should undergo the standard 14-day public notice period to ensure adequate scrutiny. He further contended that no active vacancies exist on the apex bench to justify treating the clearance as an urgent matter.
Appointments Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor firmly dismissed the Minority’s objections, characterizing them as groundless. He noted that the committee holds no authority to modify or reverse directives issued by the full House at plenary, advising any dissatisfied members to seek redress using the formal procedures outlined in Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Following the chairman’s ruling, the Minority caucus exited the vetting hall, leaving the committee to proceed with the examination of the three nominees. Court of Appeal Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah; Court of Appeal Justice and former ECOWAS Court President Edward Amoako Asante; and former Ghana Bar Association President Anthony Forson Jr.
Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
