The Ranking Member of the Appointments Committee, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, engaged in a verbal tussle with Nana Ato Dadzie, the counsel for social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, during his appearance before the committee on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
The committee members, feeling scandalised by the comments made by Barker-Vormawor, a social activist, demanded an apology and retraction.
However, Ato Dadzie, in his defence of his client, continued to emphasise that the comments were not intended to disparage the committee members.
Afenyo-Markin, who is also the Minority Leader, appeared displeased with the renowned lawyer’s approach to handling the issue and angrily interrupted.
Acknowledging the venerable lawyer’s experience and knowledge and expressing his respect for him, Afenyo-Markin, in a fit of anger, questioned whether they were ready to issue the apology or not. He expressed his frustration over how the matter was being prolonged.
“Counsel, with the greatest respect as we sit here, very respected senior citizens of this country are engaging us. We were initially divided on this matter, so please help your client. We respect you, and I’m sure he [Vormawor] knows why he chose you. You are a respected counsel. Are you issuing an unqualified apology? If not, let’s close this matter,” he queried.
The Effutu lawmaker added that Ato Dadzie’s references to his years of experience and time spent practising law was irrelevant and would not contribute to resolving the issue, insisting that an apology was necessary to bring the matter to a close.
“The speaker is of the view that we should manage this matter, and that is what we are doing, but when we give you the chance, you say you’ve spent 15 years at the bar and so on. No, Nana Ato Dadzie, this is not an NDC or NPP matter. We want to solve it, but this is not a matter of 10 or 15 years at the bar, we are solving a problem.”
After the outburst from Afenyo-Markin, Barker-Vormawor was given the platform to apologise, and he did so with an assurance that he would delete the post, which incurred the spleen of the committee members.