The Minority members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee have rejected the nomination of the Deputy Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai.
Three other Deputy Ministerial nominees who appeared before the Committee today, Wednesday, February 26 were also rejected by the Minority.
The three includes; Alhassan Suhuyini, Yusif Sulemana and Yussif Issaka Jajah.
The decision was announced by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin on February 26.
“I wish to announce a decision we have taken as Minority Caucus of the Appointment Committee. We have taken note of the abrupt end of the vetting of the nominee for Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. We reject the nomination of the Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
“Any decision to approve the nominee shall be the sole responsibility of the Majority,” he added.
“In furtherance of our protest, we are also rejecting all other nominees vetted today, and any decision taken will remain yours,” Afenyo-Markin declared.
The Minority Leader made the announcement upon resumption of proceedings of the committee after it ended suddenly when Mr Srem-Sai was being vetted.
Afenyo-Markin had asked the nominee to demonstrate how a dance in the Volta Region (Akpi dance) is performed.
This request was overruled by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Bernard Ahiafor.
In reaction, Mr Afenyo-Markin described Mr Ahiafor’s action as “whimsical and capricious”.
This remark did not go down well with Mr Ahiafor, thus he asked the latter to withdraw or cease asking further questions. Mr Afenyo-Markin refused to withdraw, which compelled the Chairman to end proceedings.
In response to the Minority Leader’s statement to the effect that they have rejected the nominee, Mr Ahiafor said, “I take exception to being described as whimsical. When you want to turn the vetting room into a dancing floor, that is what I will resist.
He added, “You are even lucky that I have not cited you for contempt.”