The Appointments Committee of Parliament has reached a consensus to recommend the approval of 12 ministers-designate, including Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Health Minister-designate Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
The decision follows their vetting on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Despite initial tensions that led to a Minority walkout, the committee proceeded with the vetting process and unanimously agreed that all 12 nominees were qualified for their respective positions.
Ministers-Designate recommended for approval
Alongside Ablakwa and Akandoh, the other nominees set for approval include:
- Felix Kwakye Ofosu – Minister of State in charge of Government Communications
- Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu – Minister-designate for the Savannah Region
- Wilbert Petty Brentum – Minister-designate for the Western North Region
- Joseph Nelson – Minister-designate for the Western Region
- Joseph Addae Akwaboa – Minister-designate for the Bono Region
- Francis Owusu Antwi – Minister-designate for the Bono East Region
- Puozuing Charles Lwanga – Minister-designate for the Upper West Region
With the Appointments Committee reaching a consensus, the final confirmation of the nominees now rests with Parliament’s plenary session, where a formal vote will be conducted. However, given the committee’s recommendation, their approval is largely expected to be a formality.
Meanwhile, the vetting session was initially overshadowed by a dispute over the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to reconstitute the Appointments Committee.
This move resulted in the dismissal of four members, sparking objections from Ranking Member Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who argued that the directive could affect quorum and necessitate a suspension of proceedings.
However, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, led by Mahama Ayariga, rejected these concerns, insisting that the directive did not impact the committee’s ability to continue its work.
With the tensions now settled and the vetting process concluded, all 12 ministers-designate await the final parliamentary vote to assume office officially.
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