The minority in Parliament staged a walkout on Monday during the vetting of Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, citing concerns over process and transparency.
What had been expected to be a routine session quickly turned contentious as lawmakers debated the nominee’s suitability for the position.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of questions, insisting that the process lacked legitimacy due to unresolved legal issues surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
He stated: “We are registering that we reject the nomination, and the record should reflect that the report of the vetting is a Majority report.”
Earlier, tensions flared in Parliament when Afenyo-Markin and Mahama Ayariga clashed over procedural matters during Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting for the position of Chief Justice. The disagreement centred on the proper conduct and sequence of questions during the confirmation process.
Afenyo-Markin, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Leader of the Minority, insisted that the vetting follow established parliamentary protocols to ensure a thorough and orderly evaluation.
The session, chaired by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, was dominated by a tense confrontation between Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga. The two leaders disagreed sharply over language, procedure, and interpretation of parliamentary rules.
What was expected to be routine quickly became a debate over whether the Minority had the right to question the process that led to the removal of former Chief Justice Torkornoo and the constitutional basis of the current nomination.
Speaking on behalf of the Minority Caucus, Afenyo-Markin described the vetting as “a test of whether Ghana’s judiciary will remain independent or fall under executive and political control.” He also referred to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a “disputed nominee,” drawing immediate objections from the Majority.
Rising on a point of order, Ayariga cited Standing Orders 122 and 123, arguing that the comment breached parliamentary procedure. “You are not in court challenging his nomination,” he said. “To the extent that there is no dispute before any court or this committee, it is wrong to refer to him as a disputed nominee.”
Afenyo-Markin responded, accusing the Majority Leader of attempting to intimidate the Minority and suppress legitimate concerns: “The rule he relied upon applies to debate on the floor, not to this committee. This attempt to silence the Minority is wrong. We have a right to make our position known.”
Other committee members joined the debate. Alhassan Tampuli, MP for Gushegu, appealed to the Chair to allow the Minority Leader to finish his statement to ensure fairness, while Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip, emphasised that parliamentary practice, not just written rules, should guide proceedings.
Chairman Ahiafor repeatedly called for calm, urging members to stay within procedural limits and directing that the term “disputed nominee” be removed from the official record.
Baffoe-Bonnie, nominated for a high-profile government role, has maintained a low public profile. His vetting has attracted significant attention, with questions about his experience and prior engagements dominating discussions.
