Minister-Designate for Trade and Industry Kobina Tahir Hammond appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, to be vetted by the committee members.
During the screening on Monday, February 20, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Mahama Ayariga asked his views on the size of the government.
Mr Ayariga asked whether he does not think the President should be downsizing given the current economic situation in the country.
In answer, the Adansi Asokwa Legislator said “Mr Speaker, It is a point [Mahama Ayariga] has made, I think it will be a good idea if the president hears of this.”
Asked again why the Minister of State sits at the Presidency, he answered “I am not aware of it.”
The vetting of the nominees started today Monday, February 20.
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticized the National Democratic (NDC) and its Members of Parliament for the way and manner they conducted themselves relating to the new ministers-designate of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He asked them to behave well if they want to position themselves as a party ready for political power.
The Minority in Parliament said they were not going to subscribe to a consensus vote at the level of the Appointments Committee regarding the new nominees.
The NDC told its lawmakers not to approve President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial nominees. The vetting of the nominees starts today Monday, February 20.
The party said it has long expressed concern over the very large size of the current government and shares the views that it must be reduced bearing in mind “the current massive economic mess, the country has been plunged into by the Akufo-Addo/ Bawumia government.”
Despite numerous appeals, the main opposition party said in a statement on Sunday February 19 signed by General Secretary Foifi Kwetey that, President Akufo Addo has “quite characteristically, remained adamant and tone deaf.
“The leadership of the NDC, has, against this backdrop, directed the Minority caucus in Parliament NOT to approve any of the new ministerial nominees and to further push for a reduction in the size of government with a view to reducing the needless drain on scarce public resources.
“In this moment of haircuts, the most important thing the government can do is to do a “governmental haircut”. Our directive to the minority in parliament, we believe strongly aligns with the genuine sentiments of most Ghanaians. Enough is enough.”
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Monday February 20, the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said “A couple of weeks ago, the President announced names of nominees for Ministerial appointments. The vetting commenced this morning.
“We in the Minority wish to make it clear that we remain committed to ensuring greater scrutiny and will spare no effort to protect the public purse. In line with this, we are taking part in the vetting process so that at the very minimum, we can scrutinize the President’s decision in bringing up those nominees.
“However, the Minority will not subscribe to a consensus vote at the level of the Appointments Committee. This will ensure that the matter is brought before the full House for a vote to be taken in secret.”
Reacting to this in an interview with journalists in Parliament, Mr Afenyo-Markin who is also a lawmaker for Effutu said “You may have your views respected, it is expected in a democracy that we should have those disagreements but you don’t use such disagreements to stampede the government.
“I don’t know why they have come to sit here when you have a prejudiced mind, what are you coming to do? To ask questions to embarrass them then go ahead and say that we have failed you, is that what they are here today do?
“I am disappointed in the NDC, if they really want to portray themselves as a party ready to take the reigns of government then they should behave well, what they are doing is way below belt and they are not demonstrating political maturity in their conduct.
“Now I ask, is Ato Forson and his team merely toothless? So they will sit in Parliament and they will receive direct orders from Mr Fifi Kwetey. He himself has been a Member of Parliament before and he knows, Mr Asiedu Nketia was a member of Parliament, at least more than three terms, so he knows about parliament, he serves on the Parliamentary Service Board so we expect them to know better.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana