Tensions flared in Parliament on Thursday as the House debated the approval of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice, following the presentation of the Appointments Committee report by its Chair, Bernard Ahiafor.
After deliberations from both sides, Speaker Alban Bagbin put the question to the House for a voice vote: “All in favour of the adoption of the report of the Chief Justice nominee say Aye,” prompting audible support from the Majority side.
“Those against say No” followed, with chants from the Minority. The Speaker initially ruled, “Honourable members, I think the Ayes have it.”
However, the decision was immediately challenged by the Minority First Deputy Whip, Habib Iddrisu, citing Parliament’s Standing Orders, Order 1513, and requesting a headcount due to the malfunctioning of the electronic voting system.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, opposed the call, noting that the Speaker has the discretion to decide on a headcount, in accordance with Order 1515, which states: “A member may challenge a decision of the Speaker on a voice vote, and the Speaker shall determine whether to call for a headcount or electronic vote.”
Following a tense back-and-forth, the Speaker agreed to conduct a headcount.
The results showed 163 Ayes in favour of adopting the report and 69 Noes against. Despite this, the Minority again challenged the outcome, raising concerns that some members were omitted from the count.
This was ruled out, and the Speaker stated that “this Honourable House has accordingly approved the nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of the Republic in accordance with Article 114(1) of the 1992 Constitution.”