The Member of Parliament for the Yendi Constituency, Hon. Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan has proffered a justification for the actions of the Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, at the vetting of the Chief Justice nominee yesterday, December 10, 2025.
Hon. Alhassan noted that the Majority Leader’s interjection of the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, was well within the law as guided by the constitution and the standing orders of parliament, adding that the minority leader’s concerns had already been addressed by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.
“In fact, yesterday’s session was one that actually made every one of us so proud of him. In fact, we are so, so proud to have him as our leader. You see, the minority leader has a penchant for always using all means possible to make any point he wants to make, regardless of the rules.”
Hon. Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan, Member of Parliament for the Yendi Constituency
At the Appointment Committee vetting of the Chief Justice nominee and Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffor-Bonnie, the Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga vehemently objected to the minority leader raising preliminary comments that involved court cases of the former Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, as well as the Justice Pwamang committee processes that led to her eventual removal.
Hon. Alhassan emphasized that, as the Majority Leader stated, the issues that were being raised by the Minority Leader had already been addressed on the floor of parliament, stating that the Minority Leader’s attempts to file a motion to debate those issues had been determined by the speaker of parliament as being inadmissible.
He further emphasized that once the attempted motion was deemed inadmissible on the floor of parliament, its substance could not be admitted at the Appointment Committee, given that the committee is an extension of parliament.
He also emphasized that as members of parliament they are made to understand that the timing and the place of their commentary on issues are very important, especially when it has to do with commentary on the floor of parliament involving other state or non-state actors who are not present to be able to give a counter response.
“As lawyers, the most important thing you should know is that you can say anything you want, but you have to know where and when to say it. It was not about what he was saying, but it was about where and when he was saying it.
“That is why, if you realize it, the majority leader made a point that if he went out with his colleagues and brought all the media to himself and made all manner of disparaging remarks, nobody would question him. But he was sitting at a wing of parliament, and we are guided by rules.”
Hon. Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan, Member of Parliament for the Yendi Constituency
Hon. Alhassan also emphasized that when it comes to the rules of engagement that govern parliament, the Minority Leader did not need anyone to remind him as to the right thing to do, stating that he [the minority leader] knows the rules in and out.
However, the Member of Parliament for the Yendi Constituency noted the Minority Leader knew what he was doing, stating that the Minority Leader had prepared an agenda to execute at the appointment committee since the speaker had determined his motion as inadmissible, which also formed the basis for the Majority Leader’s objection to such “disparaging” commentary in his preliminary remarks.
“Once it’s been decided by Parliament, the speaker says it’s inadmissible; you can’t come here and want us to talk about that issue. Yes, you have the opportunity to make preliminary remarks before proceedings actually start. But that does not give you an unfettered avenue or opportunity to say whatever you want.”
Hon. Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan, Member of Parliament for the Yendi Constituency
“He had prepared this, and he wants to use every means possible to read whatever he had prepared.” Hon. Alhassan stated in reference to the minority leader.
He therefore emphasized that as members of the law-making arm of government, it beholds on them to uphold and abide by the very laws they make, so as to serve as examples to the general public.
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