In an address to Parliament on Tuesday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin issued a formal apology for the events that transpired during the Appointments Committee proceedings on January 30 and 31. Acknowledging the Speaker’s concerns, he assured the House of the Minority’s commitment to upholding the integrity and dignity of Parliament.
“We hereby assure you that we shall, as the minority, cooperate with you in upholding the integrity and the dignity of this House.” Afenyo-Markin stated. He admitted that the protest staged by the Minority was intended to express dissatisfaction with procedural excesses by the Majority, but conceded that the situation escalated beyond their expectations.
Detailing the sequence of events, he explained that the initial agreement was to vote on four nominees, which was later increased to five. However, at approximately 10 p.m., the Majority attempted to extend the voting beyond what had been previously agreed upon. This led to tensions within the committee room and subsequently resulted in the Minority’s protest.
“on Thursday the 30th of January, as per the practice, we had agreed to proceed to vote some four nominees. Originally, we were supposed to do three. This four later changed to five. Around about 10 p.m. of the evening, we had indications from our colleagues in the majority that they intended to continue the vetting for more nominees rather than agreed…….there was no room for us to discuss the way forward, which resulted in our decision as the minority to protest,” he explained
“Our intention was to have a peaceful protest to express our displeasure at the excesses of our colleagues in the Majority. We acknowledge that in the process, the situation got out of hand, resulting in the outcome you commented upon,” he admitted.
Afenyo-Markin expressed regret over the disorderly nature of the protest and took full responsibility for the actions of the Minority caucus. He assured Parliament and the public that such actions would not be repeated.
“I take full responsibility. Mr. Speaker, I take full responsibility as a leader on my side on all actions that took place,” he declared.
Afenyo-Markin further highlighted the unprecedented cooperation the Minority had extended to the government’s nominee approval process. He stressed that their role was to engage in constructive criticism and not to obstruct government business.
“Mr. Speaker, records will have it that this is the first time in the history of our democracy that the minority has given the government such a cooperation to the extent that nominees are getting their confirmation in record time. ” he noted. “We are not in any way in to disrupt government business, frustrate them or undermine them,” he added.
Additionally, he pleaded with the Speaker to reconsider the decision to bar some members of the appointments committee involved in the protest from the chamber. He emphasized that their intent was never to undermine the authority of the Speaker but to express their position in a democratic manner. ”Ours is not to undermine your authority. After all, it is the confidence we had in you that made us, by consensus, to vote you into office. And we accept your authority.”
“Mr. Speaker, we do not think that we should litigate this matter, even on procedure. We are more interested in the outcome, which is not a desired outcome……. I will, therefore, conclude by inviting you, Mr. Speaker, to, in the circumstances and with assurances given, to consider a rescission of the decision you called for” he appealed.
Read also: Parliamentary Tensions: Afenyo-Markin’s Outburst and Allegations Against Clerk
