Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour-Awuah, has justified the Minority’s decision to stage a walkout during the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, describing the move as both peaceful and strategic.
The Member of Parliament explained that the decision was taken spontaneously in response to unfolding developments during the vetting process, with careful consideration of past parliamentary experiences.
“There was no prior meeting. It was the events that took place at that moment, taking into account historical events at such appointment committees since we went to Parliament in this Ninth Parliament,” he noted. “We then decided whether it would be in the interest of the Minority, in the interest of the nation—not just this country, but outside of it, people would say our Parliament is being chaotic. We just wanted to avoid that, and so we took the peaceful position, the peaceful approach.”
According to Nana Baffour-Awuah, the Minority’s walkout was not an act of defiance but rather a conscious effort to preserve decorum and demonstrate restraint in the face of a potentially contentious situation. He emphasized that Ghana’s Parliament must reflect the nation’s reputation as a peace-loving democracy, adding that the walkout helped prevent unnecessary confrontation during the vetting session.
The Minority’s action was in protest against ongoing legal challenges surrounding Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination by President John Dramani Mahama. Members argued that proceeding with the vetting while the matter was before the courts could undermine due process.
Despite the Minority’s exit, the Majority side continued with the proceedings, maintaining that Parliament was constitutionally empowered to carry out its vetting responsibilities in the absence of any formal injunction.
The walkout has since sparked mixed reactions among political observers, with some commending the Minority for exercising restraint and others questioning the timing and manner of the protest.
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