Ministerial Vetting: Minority Boycott Cleared Path For Speedy Vetting Of 10 More Nominees Under 4 Hours

It was a smooth sail for President John Mahama’s nominees who followed the vetting of Foreign Affairs Minister-nominee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s session.

This was after the North Tongu legislator’s appearance before the Appointments Committee on Friday saw a dramatic end as a disagreement led to a walkout by the Minority.

The absence of opposition members significantly accelerated the process, allowing the remaining nominees to be vetted in record time.

The controversy erupted when Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin objected to the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to reconstitute the Appointments Committee. The Speaker had dismissed four committee members following chaotic scenes during a late-night parliamentary session on Thursday.

Afenyo-Markin argued that the Speaker’s directive was enough grounds to suspend proceedings, as it could affect quorum. However, National Democratic Congress (NDC) members, led by Mahama Ayariga, dismissed his concerns, maintaining that the directive had no impact on quorum.

Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor backed the NDC members, telling the Minority MPs they were free to leave if they were dissatisfied. Afenyo-Markin took offense at the remark and demanded a withdrawal.

When Bernard Ahiafor refused, Mr Afenyo-Markin declared that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus would recuse itself from the proceedings.

Mr Ahiafor took this as confirmation of their recusal and subsequently discharged Ablakwa, bringing his vetting to an end.

The Minority caucus then staged a walkout, leaving only the NDC MPs to continue the vetting process.

With no firm opposition, the rest of the nominees were vetted at an unprecedented pace.

While it had taken the entire day to vet Health Minister-designate Mintah Akandoh and Ablakwa, the remaining seven nominees were vetted in under three hours.

Minister of State-nominee in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu saw what was fairly the longest in the final lap of Friday.

Ahead of him were Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu, Minister-designate for the Savannah Region, and Wilbert Petty Brentum, Minister-designate for the Western North Region.

Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister-designate, and Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Minister-designate for the Bono Region, were also vetted without prolonged scrutiny.

The process was equally swift for Francis Owusu Antwi, Minister-designate for Bono East, and Puozuing Charles Lwanga, Minister-designate for the Upper West Region.

Also appearing before the committee was Edumoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, Minister-designate for the Central Region.

All 42 nominees have now been vetted awaiting a report by the committee.

 

 

Watch: You Will Meet Your Meter! Afenyo-Markin Sends Strong Warning To NDC’s Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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