The Minority Caucus in Parliament has maintained its position not to approve any of the ministerial nominees selected by President Nana Akufo-Addo, despite participating in the vetting process. The decision was made after a directive by the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, for Minority members on the Appointments Committee to reject all the nominees.
Despite hopes from a section of the public that the Minority’s position would change after participating in the two-day vetting process, their stance remained unchanged. This was also after appeals from the Majority Caucus in Parliament to the National Democratic Congress and the Minority Caucus to rescind their decision not to approve the new ministers.
The Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, appealed to the NDC and its members in Parliament to support the approval of the ministerial nominees for the sake of unity and forging a working relationship.
“I just want our colleagues to understand that for the sake of unity, and the desire for us to forge a working relationship, this is their major decision. In terms of the fact that they are coming into leadership, this is the first time more or less they are going to make such a significant decision”.
However, Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said their position remained the same, citing unsustainable debt levels and the need to realign ministries as their reason for not approving the nominees. Mr. Kwame Agbodza emphasized that the decision by the minority is based on principle and not with the candidates personalities.
“We stated earlier initially that it has nothing to do with the personalities. We also stated that it was based on principles and that the country’s debt levels were unsustainable and government should find a way of realigning ministries.
“As we speak there is no movement in terms of our decision not to support at this stage, so nothing has changed in our position about approval or disapproval of the nominees.”
The nominees that were vetted include Bryan Acheampong, who will head the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, replacing Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who resigned to pursue his presidential vision. Stephen Asamoah Boateng will oversee the affairs of the Chieftaincy Ministry, while OB Amoah, the MP for Akwapim South, is now the Minister of State at the Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development Ministry. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, MP for Karaga, is now the Minister of State designate at the Finance Ministry.
