The approval of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice nominee by Parliament has sparked another disagreement between the Majority and Minority sides of the House.
Following the presentation of the Appointments Committee’s report on the vetting of the nominee during proceedings on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Minority demanded a secret vote to determine the approval of the nominee, as recommended by the committee by a majority vote.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, after subjecting the recommendation to a voice vote, determined that the “ayes have it.”
His determination was, however, challenged by the First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, who demanded a secret vote.
The Speaker then directed a head count, the result of which he declared as 163 against 69 in favour of the Majority.
Unsatisfied with the outcome, the Second Deputy Minority Whip called for a division, quoting Order 15, Clauses 2 to 6 of the Standing Orders of the House.
The disagreement in the House has caused a delay in the 2026 budget statement scheduled to be presented by the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, later in the day.