Afenyo-Markin’s behavior doesn’t match his rhetoric – Tony Aidoo

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is facing mounting criticism over his conduct at Parliament’s Appointments Committee, with former Ghana Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr Tony Aidoo, accusing him of exhibiting “cognitive dissonance” in his approach to politics.

Dr. Aidoo’s remarks come as Afenyo-Markin remains under scrutiny for his accusations against Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, Clerk of the Appointments Committee, whom he alleged was biased in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His comments reportedly fueled tensions at the vetting session on January 30, nearly leading to a physical altercation between MPs.

Speaking on the matter, Dr Tony Aidoo described Afenyo-Markin’s behaviour as contradictory to his own self-image. “He will be the first to say, ‘I’m a gentleman, I’m reasonable,’ and yet his behaviour doesn’t correspond to the rhetoric that he wants the public to hear,” Dr. Aidoo said.

According to Dr. Aidoo, Afenyo-Markin’s stance reflects a broader pattern among New Patriotic Party (NPP) politicians, whom he accused of avoiding accountability and shifting blame. He recalled past instances involving JH Mensah and Kwamena Bartels, whom he claimed engaged in similar tactics to discredit political opponents.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has issued an ultimatum to Afenyo-Markin: apologize to the Clerk or face a referral to the Privileges Committee. Speaker Alban Bagbin has also suspended four MPs—three from the NPP and one from the NDC—and ordered an investigation into the incident, describing it as a disgrace to Parliament.

With growing pressure from both within and outside Parliament, all eyes are now on Afenyo-Markin to see whether he will apologize or risk facing disciplinary action.