Tensions flared at Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, during the vetting of Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin loudly called for South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor to be “restrained” amid heated exchanges.
The incident occurred as Justice Dzamefe answered questions, prompting Mr. Afenyo-Markin to formally protest to Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor about Mr. Dafeamekpor’s conduct.
“Chairman, I wish to put a protest on record,” the visibly frustrated Minority Leader began.
He then addressed the colleague seated next to the Chairman, presumed to be Mr. Dafeamekpor.
“The interjections, though unofficial, have grown too frequent and too loud, and we started this process well,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said, clearly displeased.
Highlighting the seriousness of their constitutional duty, he called for decorum.
“We are performing a constitutional responsibility. If this were a personal matter, I would simply say, ‘My Lord, please, I pass you,’” he explained, distinguishing between official business and personal exchanges.
He expressed concern about how the disruptions might appear to the public.
His appeal concluded with a direct request to the Chair:
“Please restrain him! This must not continue,” he insisted.
Chairman Ahiafor responded by reminding all committee members to control their emotions.
“All members are hereby restrained,” he declared.
In reply to the protest and the Chairman’s intervention, Mr. Dafeamekpor retorted, “Were you not interjecting as well? Did anyone protest?”
The brief clash paused the vetting process, highlighting the intense political atmosphere often present during scrutiny of key government appointments.
Order was soon restored, and the committee resumed the nomination proceedings.
This was not the first time such confrontations have occurred in the current Parliament.
Notably, chaos broke out during the vetting of ministerial nominees by the same committee on Thursday, January 30, resulting in property damage and a suspension of the session.
The incident drew public condemnation, prompting Speaker Alban Bagbin to set up an investigative committee to identify MPs responsible for the disturbances.
Subsequently, four MPs—including Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, and Jerry Ahmed Shaib—were suspended for their roles in the chaos.
However, the suspensions were later lifted following requests from leaders of both the Minority and Majority sides.
