Ranking member of the Appointments Committee and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has emphasized the importance of good conduct and humility for President Mahama’s ministerial appointees as they appear before the committee.

He believes that their demeanor can significantly impact the speed and tone of the vetting process.

In an interview with the press today, Afenyo-Markin advised nominees to show respect and professionalism when they face the committee to ensure their vetting goes smoothly without unnecessary delays or conflict.

"The Ranking Members have always been given an unlimited opportunity. Why is it that when it gets to Afenyo-Markin, the NDC would want to frustrate the process?" he asked, referencing the sometimes contentious nature of the vetting sessions.

He further explained, "In any event, it is not every nominee that I question. This morning, the nominee for the Ministry of Health, we spent only 30 minutes. So the nominees themselves should know that they are now coming into public office. Their conduct, humility, will help matters."

Afenyo-Markin stressed that nominees who approach the process with arrogance or disrespect would not be tolerated.

"If you have a nominee who is so arrogant, partisan, so disrespectful, deceptive, dishonest, you don't expect us to spend 5 minutes. Those who come and prepare well and know their brief and show us respect, we also reciprocate. Not those who will come and insult and abuse the Chief Justice of the Republic, former president of the land and you expect us to clap for them and take tea with them. We will not."

The resumption of the ministerial vetting today was marred by tension as Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) stormed the hearing, accusing the clerk of bias.

The session began with the Minister-designate for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, facing a committee largely composed of Majority MPs, as the Minority was absent. However, shortly after Akandoh took his oath, Minority MPs entered the room, visibly upset, and raised concerns that they had not been properly informed of the start of the vetting process.

Their protest quickly escalated, with a heated exchange between the Minority and Majority sides. The disagreement brought the session to a halt, further delaying the proceedings.