A Minority Member of Parliament has defended the caucus’s decision to take part in the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, despite earlier disagreements between the Majority and Minority sides.
Speaking during the Appointments Committee sitting, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, MP for Asante Akyem Central in the Ashanti Region, dismissed claims that the Minority’s participation was merely symbolic. He stressed that their involvement was in the national interest and aimed at ensuring transparency in the vetting process.
“If that were the case, we could have simply held a press conference there would have been no need to come here. But that’s not the case,” he stated.
Mr. Anyimadu Antwi explained that Minority members had met and collectively agreed to take part in the vetting, with each MP preparing specific questions to help ensure a thorough assessment of the nominee.
“This is about the Chief Justice of the entire nation not for the Majority or Minority, not for NPP or NDC, but for Ghana. It’s our collective responsibility to make sure we get the best person for the job,” he emphasized.
He also raised concerns about interruptions during the proceedings, urging decorum and mutual respect among members.
“We came here in good faith. But if we’re not allowed to proceed, the process loses its meaning. The last thing we want is for tension to rise in this room. We’ve seen situations before where decorum was lost people shouting or even going under tables. We don’t want that. Let’s keep the process dignified and fair,” he cautioned.
The Minority has reiterated that its participation in the vetting exercise is driven by principle and a commitment to protecting the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
