During the vetting of the Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Vetting Committee engaged in a heated discussion about the relevance of certain issues raised by the minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The session took a dramatic turn when members debated the appropriateness of the minority leader’s comments, ultimately leading to a formal reprimand by the chairman.
The chairman Bernard Ahiafor initiated the session by reminding the members of the committee’s mandate, emphasizing the need to focus on vetting the minister-designate for Roads and Highways.
To this effect, Minister of Finance Hon. Ato Forson called for strict adherence to the committee’s agenda, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the matter at hand.
His remarks came in response to what he perceived as a deviation from the core issues by the minority leader, Hon. Alexender Afenyo-Markin. Hon. Forson stressed that discussions unrelated to the vetting process should be addressed through appropriate channels.
Hon. Forson began his address by underscoring the need for the committee to adhere to its standing orders. He stated;
“Mr. Chairman, we have traveled this road before. This will not be the first time we’ll vet a nominee. This will not be the end. Mr. Chairman, at all times, we are guided by outstanding orders.”
Hon. Ato Forson Finance Minister
He highlighted that the standing orders clearly define the committee’s scope of work and that discussions should be limited to the matter before the committee.
Hon. Forson pointed out that the minority leader was introducing issues unrelated to the vetting process. He said;
“Mr. Chairman, the orders of this house are clear that anytime a matter has been referred to a committee, the committee must concentrate and deal with the matter before the committee. The minority leader is bringing in matters that relate to the appointment and dismissal of chief executives. It has nothing to do with this matter before us.
“This cannot be tolerated. The minority leader can at all times, address the media or use other tools available to him as the minority leader to address his concerns, but he cannot use this platform to address matters that are irrelevant to what is before us. What he’s talking about, Mr. Chairman, is irrelevant to the matter before us, and so we cannot entertain it.”
Hon. Ato Forson Finance Minister
He reiterated his stance, urging the chairman to ensure that the session remained focused on vetting the minister responsible for roads. “Mr. Chairman, I urge you to rule him completely out of order – Mr. Chairman be strong and do your job.’’ He charged.
He emphasized that there were other avenues available for raising concerns outside the vetting session.
Hon. Ato Forson’s intervention was a call for discipline and focus during the vetting process. By insisting on sticking to the agenda, he aimed to ensure that the committee’s time was used efficiently to vet the minister responsible for roads.
This set the tone for the discussions that followed, which were expected to remain relevant to the nominee’s qualifications and plans for the ministry.
Point of Order by Honorable Vice Chairman, Committee Chair
Moreover, the Vice Chairman Honorable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah raised a point of order, objecting to the minority leader’s comments. Hon. Kofi Buah argued,
“The issue being raised by the deputy majority leader is on point of relevance. I would urge the ranking member to take it into consideration in his response.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah Vice Chairman
He insisted that the discussions should remain pertinent to the vetting process, and any deviations should be addressed through appropriate channels outside the committee.
“The reason I raise this point of order, I take you through order 267 outstanding orders. The deliberations must be centered around our mandate – and so chairman am calling on you respectfully, to rule the ranking member that he is completely out of order.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah Vice Chairman
He called on the chairman to rule the ranking member out of order for introducing issues unrelated to the Roads and Highways portfolio.
Meanwhile, the minority leader Hon. Afenyo-Markin defended his position, arguing for a purposive interpretation of the governing laws concerning statutory boards and corporations. He contended;
“…Upon purposive interpretation of section 14 of Act 845, we hold that members of the governing boards of these companies and chief executives are not affected by section 14 of Act 845….”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo- Markin Minority Leader
Despite his insistence, his comments were ruled irrelevant to the committee’s current agenda.
The chairman, after listening to both sides, urged the ranking member to adhere to the committee’s focus. He emphasized;
“The orders of this house are clear that anytime a matter has been referred to a committee, the committee must concentrate and deal with the matter before the committee.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor Chairman of Vetting Committee
Subsequently, he ruled the minority leader out of order, concluding that the matters raised were not relevant to the vetting of the Roads and Highways minister-designate.
“We are here to vet the minister responsible for roads. The minister responsible for roads. Let’s deal with the matter.”
Hon. Bernard Ahiafor Chairman of Vetting Committee
This directive ensured that the committee’s focus remained on the qualifications and plans of the minister-designate for Roads and Highways, without further digressions.
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