Ministerial Vetting: Minority’s position politically immature – Afenyo-Markin

The deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the Minority in Parliament for their decision not to approve nominations by President Akufo-Addo for vacant ministerial roles.

The MP for the Effutu constituency said the behaviour of the NDC does not depict a party ready for political power in 2024.

“I’m disappointed in the NDC, and 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 the belt, and they are not demonstrating political maturity, ” Mr Afenyo-Markin stated.

Members of the Minority Caucus announced on Monday, February 20, that although they will participate in the vetting, they will not approve any of the nominees.

“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 scrutinise 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,” the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said.

This comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday directed the Minority Caucus in Parliament not to approve President Nana Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial nominees.

The NDC, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said: “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.”

The vetting started on Monday, February 20, 2023.