Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, has criticized Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for his difficulty in adjusting to his new role in opposition. Speaking on PM Express on February 3, Ahiafor admitted to having a good working relationship with Afenyo-Markin but expressed frustration with the latter’s inconsistent behaviour, making collaboration difficult at times.
“I have a very good relationship with him, but sometimes I find it very difficult to take the excess,” said Ahiafor, adding that Afenyo-Markin’s actions, such as agreeing to decisions one moment and contradicting them shortly after, frustrate him.
The comments come amidst growing tensions between the Minority and the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, following accusations of bias from Afenyo-Markin and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) colleagues. Despite these claims, Ahiafor has vehemently defended the Clerk, stressing that all reports are shared transparently and agreed upon by both the Chairman and Ranking Member.
“There is nothing that the Clerk of the Committee has put out there that we have not agreed upon,” Ahiafor stated, refuting Afenyo-Markin’s allegations that the Clerk had withheld information.
Ahiafor also suggested that Afenyo-Markin’s difficulties stem from his previous position as Majority Leader, making it challenging for him to accept his current role in the Minority. He urged Afenyo-Markin to come to terms with the fact that, as a Minority Leader, he is no longer in a position of power.
“It’s about time he realises that he is no longer Majority Leader, but he’s a Minority Leader,” Ahiafor remarked, pointing out the need for Afenyo-Markin to adapt to parliamentary practices in the opposition.
Ahiafor explained that, according to parliamentary protocol, Clerks take direction from the Chairman of the Committee, not the Ranking Member, a fact Afenyo-Markin has seemingly struggled to accept. He emphasized that the position of Majority Leader and Ranking Member must align with the reality of opposition dynamics.
“Because he’s coming from the Majority point of view, sometimes I believe he forgets himself and doesn’t come to the realisation that he is operating from a Minority point of view,” Ahiafor noted, urging his colleague to adapt to his new parliamentary reality.
