The Minority in Parliament has defended its decision to walk out of the vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, describing the move as one based on principle rather than politics.
Addressing a press conference shortly after the walkout, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central and member of the Appointments Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, said the Minority’s action was a protest against what it considers procedural unfairness and unresolved legal disputes surrounding the nomination process.
“I think it is the decision of the entire Minority that our point is well made. At the end of the day, on the matter of principle and what has transpired, there are matters pending — some before ECOWAS, some before other courts — and we have not exhausted them. We think that until those processes are concluded, it is not right for us to vet another Chief Justice,” he stated.
Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi clarified that the decision was not a personal attack on the nominee.
“Nobody has anything against Justice Baffoe-Bonnie personally, but on the matter of principle, we needed to abstain from this. Since we are going to vote against the process anyway, I don’t think we have to sit in and accommodate this give and take, especially when they have already made up their mind,” he explained.
He also criticised what he described as the Majority’s reluctance to ensure fairness in parliamentary proceedings, insisting that the walkout was a protest, not a boycott.
“They have their majority, and in a democracy, we say the minority will always have a say and the majority will have their way. But that is not what we are witnessing. Therefore, we opted out of the proceedings. It doesn’t mean we have boycotted the vetting; we only opposed the nomination on principle,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that the walkout was premeditated, Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi dismissed such claims as false.
“That’s not true. If that were the case, we could have just done the press conference and not even come here. We all agreed and had a meeting. Everyone had their questions ready to ask,” he clarified.
He added that the Minority had fully intended to participate in the vetting, describing it as a national duty that transcends political affiliations.
“He is going to be the Chief Justice of the whole nation, whether you are NPP or NDC, Majority or Minority. It is for all of us to make sure that we get the best for the country. But if they are not allowing us, we don’t see how we can continue,” he added.
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