KEY POINTS
- The vetting session turned into a debate on Things Fall Apart.
- Gyan-Mensah described Okonkwo as a unifier, sparking controversy.
- Afenyo-Markin argued Okonkwo was more defined by bravery.
During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, Richard Gyan-Mensah, the Deputy Minister-Designate for Energy and Green Transition, was caught up in an unexpected literary dispute.
A routine vetting question turns into a literary debate
When the conversation turned to Chinua Achebe’s beloved book Things Fall Apart, what had begun as a standard inquiry about his interests took a sharp turn.
Gyan-Mensah mentioned the book as a particular favorite and mentioned reading as one of his interests. He emphasized Okonkwo’s capacity to bring people together when questioned about the moral lessons he learned from the novel.
“I have learned from Okonkwo his love for people and his desire to always bring them together,” he said with assurance.
Afenyo-Markin challenges the nominee’s understanding of Achebe’s classic
Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin, though, didn’t seem to be convinced. He looked perplexed, wondering if Gyan-Mensah had really read the same book.
“You’re referring to the Chinua Achebe book?” Afenyo-Markin made a joke that raised questions about the nominee’s understanding. He retorted that Gyan-Mensah’s memory might not have been correct, arguing that Okonkwo was more known for his bravery than his communal leadership.
According to Joynews, committee members were amused and debated the interaction. Gyan-Mensah acknowledged that it had been roughly five years since he had read the book when questioned about it by Committee Chairman Ricketts Hagan. Afenyo-Markin joked that it could be time for a refresher.
For those who have read Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is a typical Igbo warrior with a strong sense of ambition who is feared for his courage and power. His inflexible and frequently severe manner alienates everyone around him, including his own kid, rather than bringing people together. In the end, his rigidity and fixation with masculinity bring him to ruin.
Afenyo-Markin’s claim seemed more plausible in light of Achebe’s portrayal: Okonkwo’s courage and tenacity, not his ability to unite people, define him.
