The Minority caucus in Parliament is standing by its position not to approve any of the president’s ministerial nominees despite participating in the vetting process.
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.
This came 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 Majority caucus in Parliament on Tuesday, February 21 appealed to the NDC as well as the Minority caucus to rescind the decision not to approve the new ministers.
Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh said “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.”
However, the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said their position remains the same.
“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 vetted include Bryan Acheampong, who will head the Ministry of Food and Agriculture replacing Dr. Afriyie Akoto; Stephen Asamoah Boateng is nominated to oversee the Chieftaincy Ministry.
The rest are OB Amoah, the MP for Akwapim South, Minister of State-designate for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development Ministry, and Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, MP for Karaga, Minister of State-designate at the Finance Ministry.