In a recent parliamentary session, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin issued an apology to Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, the Clerk of the Appointments Committee, following his earlier accusations of partisanship against her. This apology, however, has sparked further controversy.
I was scolded for apologizing
During the vetting process on January 30, 2025, Afenyo-Markin accused Jiagge-Gobah of displaying bias in favor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alleging that she had made disparaging remarks about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority caucus on her WhatsApp status. These allegations led to significant tension within the committee.
Afenyo-Markin Faces Criticism Over Apology to Committee Clerk
In response to the backlash, Afenyo-Markin publicly apologized, stating, “If the husband, the children, and family are traumatized by my comments about the Clerk, I am sorry.” He also indicated his intention to write a formal letter of apology to Jiagge-Gobah.
Despite this, Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of the Appointments Committee, criticized Afenyo-Markin’s conduct as “reckless and needless,” urging him to issue an unqualified apology. Ahiafor warned that failure to do so could result in a referral to the Privileges Committee, which may impose disciplinary actions.
The situation underscores the complexities of parliamentary decorum and the challenges leaders face in managing internal conflicts. While Afenyo-Markin’s apology aimed to mend relations, it has also highlighted the scrutiny public figures endure when addressing contentious issues.
As the matter develops, it remains to be seen how Parliament will navigate this internal dispute and what implications it may have for future interactions among its members.
Source: https://x.com/ghonetv/status/1890080386631533000?t=9wnGV9FSOzMpjBk9xR4I9w&s=19