Vetting: Justice Ackaah-Boafo, Afenyo-Markin, Ahiafor ‘struggle’ with reciting national pledge

A light-hearted moment emerged during the vetting of Supreme Court nominee, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, on Friday, June 20, when an attempt to recite Ghana’s national pledge turned into a playful challenge among members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The incident began when Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin asked the nominee to recite the national pledge, prompted by Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s earlier comments promoting patriotism.

Caught off guard, the nominee admitted, “Mr. Chair, I am not sure I am able to recite it,” prompting laughter from the committee members.

Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor quickly defended him, saying, “The nominee is honest enough to admit he can’t recite it. So why press on? He’s given a truthful answer.”

Afenyo-Markin clarified his request, stating that he wasn’t insisting on a full recital but merely asking the nominee to share any lines that came to mind.

Justice Ackaah-Boafo managed to recall the first line, after which Afenyo-Markin offered to assist by reciting the pledge one line at a time for the judge to repeat — a task that came with its own set of hiccups.

Noticing the Minority Leader’s minor stumbles, Chairman Ahiafor humorously remarked, “But you are struggling too.”

Afenyo-Markin, unfazed, replied, “At least I’m making an effort.”

Ahiafor shot back jokingly, “That’s exactly why I haven’t tried — to avoid struggling.”

The friendly banter lightened the atmosphere, offering a rare, humorous interlude during the usually serious proceedings of a judicial vetting.