Parliament has moved forward with the presentation of the Appointments Committee’s report on Supreme Court nominees, following a firm ruling by Speaker Alban Bagbin that dismissed objections from the Minority.
The dispute arose when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin challenged the legitimacy of the report, arguing that his side did not endorse the document and was excluded from key parts of the vetting process. He claimed the report lacked the necessary signatures from the Minority and failed to reflect their inputs.
In response, Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor defended the report’s integrity, explaining that the Minority’s initial written comments had already been included. He further revealed that a last-minute request from Afenyo-Markin for revisions was procedurally unfeasible.
After considering both sides, the Speaker upheld the committee’s work as legitimate, stating that it met procedural standards and reflected the collective decision of the Appointments Committee.
He emphasized that while individual members may have additional views, the committee report represents the consensus of the entire body.
Speaker Bagbin also assured the Minority that they would have ample opportunity to express their views during the debate on the floor, but maintained that the report was properly laid before Parliament and would proceed as scheduled.
The ruling brings clarity to what had been a contentious standoff over transparency and due process in the vetting of the country’s top judicial nominees.
