The minority urged NPP MPs to join forces to reject Akufo-Addo’s ministerial candidate
Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has appealed to Members of the Majority Caucus in Parliament to join the Minority in rejecting the presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when it comes to secret elections.
Mr. Armah Kofi Buah stated that he knows some New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs who are worried about the size of the Akufo-Addo government and want it to be reduced.
The lawmaker, he said, should join opposition legislators in opposing the nomination.
Speaking in an interview with TV3’s Evelyne Tenfmaa on Monday, February 27, Member of Parliament Elembelle said “Our commitment is to ensure that we can get some members from the Majority side to join us so that we can vote against the nomination. when it is brought to the main House.
“This is an appeal to Members of the Majority side and I know some of them know that this government needs to cut costs and ensure that it reduces the size of government, they should join us in this crusade for the people of Ghana.”
This was after the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments Joseph Osei Owusu said the report of the committee would be done through a secret ballot.
Mr. Osei Owusu said, “Our recommendation is that the Majority says yes and the Minority says no. If we recommend approval by consensus, the decision is taken by voice vote but when it is recommended by the decision of the Majority, the report is adopted by secret ballot.
Before the vetting of the nominees on February 20, the Minority said they would not subscribe to the consensus vote at the level of the Appointments Committee regarding the new minister-appointed.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has told lawmakers not to endorse President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial candidate.
The NDC said it has long expressed concern over the size of the current government and expressed the view that it should be scaled back considering “the enormous economic mess the country has been plunged into by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.”
Despite many appeals, the main opposition party said in a statement on Sunday February 19 signed by its Secretary General Foifi Kwetey that, President Akufo Addo has been “quite characteristic, remains firm and deaf.
“The leadership of the NDC, with this background, directed the Minority caucus in Parliament not to approve any of the new ministerial nominees and to further reduce the size of the government with the aim of reducing unnecessary channels due to the scarcity of public resources.
“At this time of haircuts, the most important thing the government can do is to “cut the government’s hair”. The directive to the minority in parliament, we strongly believe is in line with the genuine sentiments of most Ghanaians. Enough is enough.”
Addressing a press conference in Parliament, Monday February 20, Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said “A few weeks ago, the President announced the names of the nominees for the appointment of Ministers. The vetting started this morning.
“We in the Minority want to make it clear that we remain committed to ensuring greater oversight and will not make efforts to protect the public purse. In line with this, we participate in the vetting process so that at least, we can examine the President’s decision on taking the candidate.
“However, the Minority will not subscribe to a consensus vote at the Appointments Committee level. This will ensure that the matter is brought to the full House for a vote that will be conducted in secret.
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
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