Avedzi, Afenyo Markin clash over PAC procedure

Apparently irked by the assertions of Alexander Afenyo Markin, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Wednesday took his colleague Member of Parliament to the cleaners describing his criticisms as “unfortunate” and “unwarranted”.

The Member of the Committee, who doubles as the MP for Effutu had scolded James Avedzi for ordering the arrest of two financial officers who had appeared before the committee to give evidence.

Afenyo Markin commenting on the arrest accused the chairman of the committee of violating the fundamental human rights of the two officials, as the committee had no powers to do so.

But in response, Mr Avedzi has defended his actions, stressing that the committed did no wrong in calling for the arrest of the officers.

“I don’t think he is the only lawyer in Ghana. Unfortunately, he is a member of this committee. If he had been attending committee meetings, definitely he would have understood why we took that decision.

“I blame him for taking that position because he has been absent without any permission for days. So let’s leave him alone. He is the only person against the bold decision we have taken,” the PAC Chairman is quoted as saying.

The two officers were accused of forgery and deliberate attempt to mislead members of the committee.