The Appointments Commitment of Parliament is scheduled this morning, to commence vetting President Akufo-Addo’s nominees for appointment as Ministers of States and Deputy Ministers but the National Democratic Congress (NDC) last night issued an official party directive to its members of the Minority Group to NOT approve any of the new ministerial nominees.
The ‘do-not-approve’ directive was stated in an official statement dated Sunday February 19, signed and issued by the NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
The statement further instructed all NDC Members of Parliament to “push for a reduction in the size of government with a view to reducing the needless drain on scarce public resources.”
The NDC statement read in full: “The NDC has long expressed concern over the very large size of the current government and shares the views of most Ghanaians, including Civil Society, 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, 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.”
Meanwhile, Parliament, on its Order Paper of Tuesday February 14, had advertised it would today hold public hearings to vet the said nominees.
The Ministers Nominees include: Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, Trade and Industry; Mr Bryan Acheampong, Food and Agriculture; and Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The others are Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance; and Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development and Dr Stephen Amoah, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.