Afenyo-Markin must apologize to the clerk – Ahiafor stands firm

Bernard Ahiafor, Chairman of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, has strongly rejected calls from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to remove the Committee’s Clerk, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah.

In an interview with TV3, Ahiafor made it clear that any attempt to remove the long-serving Clerk would not be entertained, emphasizing that she has done nothing wrong to warrant dismissal.

He described Afenyo-Markin’s actions as inappropriate, questioning the basis of his demand. “The Clerk is not partisan. Partisan in what manner? What he did to the Clerk is rather unfortunate; it is uncalled for and unbecoming of a member of Parliament,” he said.

Ahiafor stood firm in his support for Jiagge-Gobah, stating that she had dedicated 19 years of service to Parliament and deserved respect, not public humiliation.

He insisted that if anyone had issues with her work, they should follow the proper parliamentary procedures rather than publicly attacking her.

“If they don’t want to work with Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, then they don’t want to work at the Appointments Committee because, I, as the Chairman, will never recommend her removal. I won’t do that today or tomorrow,” he declared.

He further condemned Afenyo-Markin’s approach, arguing that Parliament operates within a structured hierarchy and grievances should not be aired in a manner that disrespects experienced staff.

“In Parliament, we have a hierarchy. If a Clerk of Parliament is exhibiting a particular conduct which you are dissatisfied with, the channels are there for you to follow, but not to (mis)behave in the full glare of the cameras like what he did.”

Ahiafor called on Afenyo-Markin to apologize to Jiagge-Gobah, stressing that she had been nothing but dedicated to her duties.

“She is a mother, and she has been in this House for 19 years. She doesn’t deserve that, so I expect the Minority Leader to be apologising to the Clerk.

He must apologize to the Clerk of the Committee because she doesn’t deserve those words,” he said, adding that she had made significant sacrifices for the Committee and should be appreciated rather than publicly criticized.

He suggested that the Minority’s demand was driven more by frustration over the outcome of the last election than by any real issue with the Clerk.

“It is rather unfortunate that the Minority side are still bleeding from the election wound, because their number was not expected by them,” he remarked.

“For me, he (Afenyo-Markin) is acting out of frustration as a result of the election defeat. They are bleeding from the election defeat.”