Vetting of Ministers and Deputies start Today

The vetting process by the Appointments Committee of Parliament is a crucial step in ensuring that ministerial nominees are fit for their respective roles. During the five-day exercise of vetting of ministers and deputies, nominees will be questioned on their qualifications, experience, and plans for their respective ministries. The committee will also scrutinize their financial records and any potential conflicts of interest.

The confirmation of ministerial nominees by Parliament  which is vetting of ministers and deputies is a necessary step to ensure accountability and transparency in government. Once approved, the appointees will take their oath of office and begin their duties as ministers in the Akufo-Addo administration.

The reshuffle of government ministers announced by President Akufo-Addo on February 14 reflects his commitment to ensuring effective governance and delivering on his promises to the Ghanaian people. The removal of key figures and the appointment of new ministers is aimed at revitalizing the government and addressing any shortcomings in performance.

Overall, the vetting process and parliamentary approval of ministerial nominees play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the government and ensuring that the right individuals are in place to lead the country forward.

The Nominee Ministers to be vetted

Those nominated as ministers of state include a former Deputy Minister of Health and immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe- Boye.

Dr Okoe-Boye takes over from Kwaku Agyeman- Manu as the Minister of Health.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman in the Central Region, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, takes over from Dr Kwaku Afriyie as the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

A former Deputy Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, takes over from her boss, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who is now Minister of Works and Housing as the Minister of Information while newcomer, Dakoa Newman, NPP MP for Okaikoi South, goes to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Another new entrant, Lydia Seyram Alhassan NPP MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, who is immediate past first Deputy Majority Chief Whip, has been nominated for the Sanitation and Water Resources Ministry while a former Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, NPP MP for Techiman South, has been nominated as substantive Minister for the same portfolio.

The Deputy Minister of Energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer,NPP MP for Sekondi, has been elevated from the Energy Ministry to the position of a Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture designate, while a former Deputy Minister of Transport, Titus Glover, takes over from the Greater Accra Minister, Henry Quartey, who has been reassigned as the Minister for the Interior.

The Assistant Registrar of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Daniel Machator, a minister of the Oti Region designate, completes the ministers’ list.

READ: Education Minister-designate Vetting Takes Place Today: Questions Teachers Want Answered

The Deputy Ministers Nominee (Vetting)

The NPP MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro, Sylvester Tetteh, is the Deputy Minister nominee for Information, while the NPP MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, is the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development designate.

The rest of the deputy minister nominees are Charles Acheampong, Communications and Digitalisation; Adelaide Ntim (Health), Alexander Akwasi Acquah (Health ); Dr Prince Hamidu Armah (Works and Housing); Akwasi Konadu (Lands and Natural Resources); Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba (Fisheries and Aquaculture Development); John Kobina Sanie and Collins Adomako Mensah (Energy); Prof. Kingsley Nyarko (Education); Festus Awuah Kwofie (Employment and Labour Relations); and Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah (Gender, Children and Social Protection).

In addition to the anticipated two-week vetting process, Parliament has decided to prolong its sitting, which commenced yesterday.

MORE STORIES: Date for vetting newly Nominated  Ministers

“The Business Committee, taking into account the urgent circumstances, proposes that the House begins its sitting for the upcoming week on Monday, March 4, 2024.”

Furthermore, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, stated last Friday that the House’s sitting may be extended to ensure the completion of the scheduled business for the week in question.

This week, there are also plans for four ministers to appear and respond to a total of 40 questions, even as vetting of ministers and deputies is in progress. The ministers in question are from the Education, Energy, Finance, and Roads and Highways sectors.