Parliament's Appointments Committee witnessed a dramatic day of vetting on Wednesday, August 27, 2026, as two ministerial nominees and three nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court faced stiff opposition by the Minority in Parliament led by the leader of the caucus And MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The vetting featured topical policy discussions on illegal mining, plastic waste, scientific research, chieftaincy and religion, as well as a major disagreement on the timing of the exercise resulting in the Minority Caucus boycotting the vetting of the three Supreme Court nominees.
Parliament approves Ayariga, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as ministers
The five nominees were Mahama Ayariga, Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology; and Supreme Court nominees Justices Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah and Edward Amoako Asante, as well as private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr.
Below are some of the major highlights from the day's proceedings:
1. Ayariga pledges not to meddle in chieftaincy disputes
One of the major issues addressed during Mahama Ayariga's vetting was the role of the sector minister in matters involving traditional authorities.
Ayariga maintained that ministers had no constitutional mandate to interfere in specific chieftaincy disputes, stressing that such matters should be handled by the appropriate traditional and judicial institutions.
According to him, the role of a minister is to support the chieftaincy institution rather than influence disputes involving chiefs. He said Traditional Councils, Regional Houses of Chiefs, the National House of Chiefs and, where applicable, the Supreme Court, have jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters.
2. More funding for the chieftaincy institution
Ayariga also pledged to push for increased government funding for the chieftaincy institution if approved.
He described the institution as an important constitutionally guaranteed establishment with responsibilities that require adequate resources.
The minister-designate noted that the institution operates through various structures, including Traditional Councils, paramountcies, Regional Houses of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs.
3. National Cathedral was a good idea but poorly executed
The Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister-designate also shared his views on the National Cathedral project.
Ayariga said he had no fundamental objection to the establishment of a national cathedral, describing the concept as a good idea.
However, he argued that the project was badly executed and raised concerns about the location selected for the project.
4. Zanetor calls for coordinated fight against galamsey
Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, featured prominently during Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings' vetting.
The Environment, Science and Technology Minister-designate stressed the need for effective coordination among ministries, departments and agencies involved in tackling the menace.
She argued that stronger collaboration, particularly between institutions operating within the local governance structure, could improve transparency, monitoring and the assessment of interventions.
Her proposed approach includes engaging ministers and institutions with responsibilities relating to lands and local government to avoid what she described as the “silo effect.”
5. Cassava and hemp proposed as alternatives to plastics
Another major environmental issue discussed during Zanetor's vetting was Ghana's growing plastic waste challenge. She proposed increased support for scientific research into plant-based alternatives to conventional plastics, suggesting that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research could explore materials derived from crops such as cassava and hemp. The proposal forms part of efforts to develop biodegradable and locally sourced alternatives to plastic packaging.
6. Zanetor backs January 2027 Styrofoam ban deadline
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also called for the January 1, 2027 deadline for the ban on Styrofoam products to be maintained. She said the environmental consequences associated with the widespread use and disposal of polystyrene foam products could not be ignored. According to her, decisive action was necessary to address Ghana's waste management challenges and encourage more environmentally responsible practices.
7. Bridging the gap between research and business
The minister-designate also addressed concerns about the gap between scientific research and the commercialisation of innovations.
She said there was a need for stronger collaboration among researchers, industry and government to ensure that useful findings were developed into productive ventures.
Zanetor said she would seek to understand existing innovations and explore ways of accelerating partnerships with the private sector, while also emphasising the protection of intellectual property to encourage scientists and innovators.
8. Afenyo-Markin leads protest over Supreme Court vetting
The vetting of the three Supreme Court nominees was overshadowed by a major disagreement between the Majority and Minority sides of the Appointments Committee.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that there was no urgent vacancy on the Supreme Court bench to justify what he described as a rushed vetting process.
He maintained that the nominees were being considered to augment the number of justices rather than immediately replace judges who had left the bench.
The Minority also raised concerns about the limited time available for scrutiny and public participation, eventually walking out of the proceedings.
The Majority, however, rejected the objections and proceeded with the exercise, with the Appointments Committee subsequently recommending the three nominees for approval.
9. Justice Bernasko Essah on correcting judicial injustice
Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah used her vetting to address the issue of judicial precedent and whether the Supreme Court should always be bound by its previous decisions.
She said earlier decisions were important for ensuring certainty, stability and predictability in the law.
However, she argued that the Supreme Court should be prepared to depart from a previous decision where it had resulted in injustice, contained an error in principle, conflicted with the Constitution or had become unworkable.
She said any departure from precedent should be supported by compelling reasons.
10. Justice Amoako Asante urges suspects to enforce their rights
Justice Edward Amoako Asante addressed concerns about the continued detention of suspects beyond the constitutionally prescribed 48-hour period.
The Supreme Court nominee said persons who believe their rights have been violated should seek redress through the courts.
According to him, legal action could help strengthen the enforcement of constitutional safeguards and discourage unlawful detention.
He also maintained that Ghana's existing legal framework provided adequate provisions on bail.
11. Anthony Forson Jnr defends Public Tribunals Act
Private legal practitioner and former Ghana Bar Association President Anthony Forson Jnr was also questioned on the recently passed Public Tribunals Act. Forson said he had no problem with the legislation provided it had been enacted in accordance with the 1992 Constitution. He argued that public tribunals were not alien to Ghana's constitutional framework and stressed that Parliament must ensure that all legislation conforms to the Constitution.
12. Love Brewed in Parliament – Ayari confirms marriage to fellow MP Millicent Amankwah Though the optics were all over social media, it was only rumoured that outgoing Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga had a thing for Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Millicent Yeboah Amankwah, as they were seen together in public on many occasions.
The relationship remained a rumour to many until Ayariga confirmed it during his vetting on August 27, 2027. Their disclosure follows an earlier surprise disclosure by MP for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor few months ago that he was legally married to MCE of Tema, Ebi Bright.
13. Parliament approves all five nominees
Despite the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court vetting, Parliament subsequently approved the nominations of Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings for their respective ministerial positions.
The three Supreme Court nominees; Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Anthony Forson Jnr; were also approved despite the Minority's boycott of the vetting process. Their approval moves them closer to formal appointment to Ghana's apex court.
ANAS/VPO
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