According to him, the Minority will ensure that procedural processes are followed before approval.

“We had three that we were going to vote on. One has eaten humble pie, now we have two that we are going to vote on. They have not been vetted,” he stated.

The Effutu MP disclosed this in an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV but did not state who the nominees are.

“I have relayed his engagement to the external stakeholders of the party. If he agrees to be a true gentleman, to acknowledge that he acted badly in terms of his posture, his public conduct, and his attacks on us—and he agrees that what he did was unbecoming of a decent politician—per the terms of the discussion this evening, if he is ready to do what he has promised to do, we will go by consensus,” Afenyo-Markin noted.

For the second nominee, Mr. Afenyo-Markin indicated that their engagement had been less forthcoming.

“The other one met me, was being dodgy, trying to rationalize. We are watching,” he added.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, January 28, the Bawku Central MP recounted the encounter, stating that the Appointments Committee does not demand money from nominees and urging anyone with evidence of bribery to come forward.

“I actually met somebody who operates in a sector, and the person said, ‘Oh, our minister is being considered this week, so we want to go and help him.’ And I said, ‘Has the sector minister asked you to come and help him?’ He said, ‘No, no, we just want to come together and help him,’” Mr. Ayariga narrated.

He recounted how he immediately shut down the idea, warning the individual that such mobilization was unnecessary and would not be accepted.

“I told the person, ‘I don’t think there’s a need for you and people in your sector to mobilize money that you are going to help your minister, because we won’t even accept it,’” he said.

His revelation comes in response to allegations by lawyer and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who claimed that ministerial nominees were being asked to pay bribes in exchange for parliamentary approval.

Mr. Ayariga dismissed the claims and called on Barker-Vormawor to provide proof.

“I had wind of what he said, and then the chairman reached out. I said, ‘Call him, let him come. And if he has anything and he can substantiate it, we need to deal with it openly and transparently,’” he stated.

The former Sports Minister stressed that the Appointments Committee operates with integrity and that no nominee needs to pay money to secure approval.

“You spent a few days on the committee. What personal knowledge or otherwise do you have to share on these claims being made—that some monies were paid to members of the committee to approve some of the nominees?

“I am unaware of any such thing. That’s why I think he should come. Maybe he has something, because, you see, in this country, all sorts of things happen.”

He pointed out that with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) having a majority in Parliament, there is no incentive for such payments.

“NDC is in power. We have 184 members, and then we have four other independent members. Two are actually NDC members. The others are not originally NDC but have agreed to do business with NDC. We can approve anybody. So no nominee needs to give anybody any money, because as a party, you will be whipped in line to vote according to the party’s interest,” he explained.

Mr. Ayariga further clarified that unless a nominee faces a serious issue raised through a petition, they are almost certain to be approved.

“Unless there’s something fundamentally wrong with you, and in that instance, if it’s revealed through a petition or something of that sort, we will go back to His Excellency. ‘Please, Excellency, we know your standards.

“This guy doesn’t meet your standards. Can you withdraw the nomination?’ Otherwise, every other person, most of them, are sitting members of Parliament, and constitutionally, at the barest minimum, they are qualified to be ministers of state.”

Reaffirming his stance on transparency, Mahama Ayariga encouraged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to present it.

“If he has anything about some money being handed over to Appointments Committee members, he should just come, and then we’ll look into it. And I encourage it—not just this instance, but any other instance—because we want to build institutions that have integrity, that are credible, and that Ghanaians have trust and confidence in,” he emphasized.

The Majority Leader expressed skepticism about the allegations but remained open to investigation.

“I have not seen it. So I’ll be surprised if he comes up with anything tomorrow. I’ll be surprised. But we encourage every other person to come forward if they have evidence.”

ALSO READ:

• Appointments Committee summons Barker-Vormawor over bribery allegations

• I look forward to appearing before Appointments Committee – Barker-Vormawor

This follows the submission of the report and deliberations on the floor of Parliament on Friday.

They include Asawase MP Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who has been appointed Interior Minister.

The regional ministers include; Ali Adolf John (Northern), John Kwadwo Gyapong for Oti, James Gunu for Volta, and Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey for Eastern.

ALSO READ:

• Minority protests in Parliament over Ablekuma North collation [Video]

• Leading the NDC Caucus in Parliament has been an honour – Ato Forson

The nominees are Ketu South MP; Abla Dzifa Gomashie Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, George Opare-Addo; Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment and Shama MP; Emelia Arthur, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The approval on Thursday, January 23, follows their vetting and extensive debates in the House.

Madam Gomashie, a renowned advocate for arts and culture, is expected to enhance the sector by promoting Ghana’s cultural heritage and increasing revenue.

As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Youth Organiser, Mr Opare-Addo also seeks to tackle challenges facing young people, including employment, education and empowerment programs.

Emelia Arthur will focus on improving sustainability and productivity in the fisheries and aquaculture sector wither her experience in rural development and fisheries to serve as a guide.

Meanwhile, President Mahama on Wednesday swore in six of his ministers who were earlier approved by parliament.

ALSO READ:

• Mahama directs new ministers to declare assets

• Mahama swears in six new ministers

Speaking on the floor of Parliament prior to the Minority’s boycott of the approval of the President’s nominees for Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial positions, Dr Forson informed the House that the Committee’s report was a majority decision and that this was because they could not approve the Nominees by consensus.

“All Members of the Minority Group voted en bloc against the Nominees,” he stated.

He reiterated that the Minority voted against the Nominees not because they held anything against them; saying “No, we hold nothing against the nominees. In fact, a good number of them are our colleagues and friends. But (the) decision to vote against them was motivated by Ghana first.”

Dr Forson said the Minority voted against the nominees because the country had gone through (and continues to go through) very difficult periods, including crippling economic crisis, food insecurity, debt overhang as a result of excessive borrowing, and wasteful and reckless expenditure.

“Ordinary Ghanaians continue to bite the bullet and businesses are struggling under high tax regime to contribute to the development of the country. What is expected on the part of (the) Government would have been prudent management of these contributions from the people of Ghana,” Dr Forson said.

“But hardly a day passes without one reckless and wasteful expenditure or the other by this government being uncovered.

“Mr Speaker, while (we) are happy for the nominees because we know that it is just a matter of time and colleagues from our side will begin appearing before the Appointments Committee, we cannot pretend that things are still the same. Indeed, we cannot do things the same old way.”

He underscored that Ghana’s present unfortunate situation occasioned by the government did not only call for new, creative and radical ways of confronting challenges but also modesty and sacrifice by the political class.

He said in times like this, the government side, especially, must signal to the people of Ghana and the investor community that they were ready and willing to walk the talk to restore the needed confidence in the economy.

He said the Government, in times like this, must show its real commitment and determination to improve the quality of life of Ghanaians.

He reiterated that it could not be the case that while the Government asked the people to tighten their belt, those in Government would have no belt at all.

Dr Forson said it also could not be right that while the Government urged the people to bite the bullet, those in Government and their family and friends chew chocolate.

“Our side is deeply convinced that at this point in time, this Government must seize the opportunity to be creative, dynamic and think out of the box,” he said.

“Merely piling on numbers by way of appointment of ministers and deputy ministers does not signal to the people of Ghana that the President understands the seriousness of the mess that his government has created.”

The Minority Leader said the least that President Akufo-Addo could do was to down-size the Government.

He said adding more ministerial appointments, which only balloons the expenditure of the executive, does not sound like a very bright idea at a time when the Government had clearly lost a grip on the economy, and unemployment, hardships and shrinkflation had become the order of the day.

“Mr Speaker, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must down-size his Government to signal to the people of Ghana that, at the very least, he is in tune with feedback and the challenges triggered by his government as a result of their bad economic policies.”

At the very least, the two top political parties, the NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), agree that down-sizing (or right-sizing) the Government was the way to go.

The exercise was held without the Minority MPs who boycotted the proceedings on Friday, May 17.

After back and forth between the caucuses, the Minority indicated that they would not be part of the approval that would further increase Akufo-Addo’s government size.

Ministerial approval: Minority walks out of Parliament [Video]

But the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin prayed Speaker Bagbin to go ahead with the process.

The Speaker allowed and the House accordingly approved the report of the appointment committee.

The President on February 14, 2024, did his first ministerial reshuffle since 2017.

Approximately 12 current ministers affected, including 10 cabinet members and two regional ministers. Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta was among those relieved of their positions.

The nominees included: Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye(Health), Ophelia Mensah Hayford (Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation), Fatimatu Abubakar (Information), Dakoa Newman (Gender, Children and Social Protection) and Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah ( Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development).

Lydia Seyram Alhassan(Sanitation and Water Resources), Andrew Egyapa Mercer( Tourism, Arts and Culture) Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover and Oti Region; Daniel Machator.

The Minority in Parliament staged a walk-out on Friday, May 17 during deliberations on the approval of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees.

The walkout was after they reiterated their position on the huge size of the Akufo-Addo government and the economic implication on Ghanaians.

The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson questioned how the approval of the ministerial nominees was classified as an urgent matter.

“May I ask, how is the approval of the President’s nominees for ministerial positions an urgent matter, when this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government already has a large number of ministers and deputy ministers?” he asked.

The approval of the new ministerial nominees should have taken place on March 20, 2024.

However, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin suspended the process, citing an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor.

The House subsequently went on recess and reconvened today May 17, 2024 for an emergency session.

ALSO READ:

• Ministerial approval: Focus or risk losing 2024 election – MP to NDC
• Ministerial approval: NDC warned against witch-hunting of MPs

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, adjourned the House indefinitely following a disagreement with the presidency over the anti-gay bill, effectively halting the fate of the nominees.

However, the designated Ministers and deputies have already begun their work.

For example, Gender Minister-designate, Darkoa Newman addressed the media on the Nungua Gborbu Wulomo alleged child marriage on Thursday, April 18.

In an interview with Citi TV, Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, described this action as a violation of the rule of law.

He added that, they will hold the Ministers personally liable should any of their actions cause financial loss to the state.

“It is just a reflection of what the government is. A government that believes that let’s break a law as long as it is politically expedient.

“This matter is in court, but the President, as you know him, would disregard even the processes because he knows that he has buried a hatchet person to do his job at the judiciary.

“That is the only motivation and reason why the government will continue to do that with flagrant disregard for the public concern and public outcry.

“Again, what would be the motivation for recycling people to be ministers when you are not confident to put them before a vetting committee? What have they got to hide? Is it because they are so incompetent? Is it because most of them have been involved in scandals in their previous Ministry where they have served before?” he quizzed.

ALSO READ:

• Minority reacts to Speaker’s suspension of new ministers’ approval

• Bagbin is a very wise man but … – Atta Akyea on suspension of…

According to him, as of March 20, 2024, when the Speaker stated that he had before him a motion or an interlocutory injunction, there was no application pending.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, March 23, Mr Banson argued that the Speaker had no “legal basis” to suspend the consideration of the appointees on March 20 if the decision was based on an interlocutory process before the Supreme Court.

“If he had made that statement on March 21 and said that because there was an injunction application, he would suspend and let the Supreme Court decide, I would have agreed with him. But on the 20th, there was no such application.”

His remark comes after the Speaker of Parliament suspended the vetting and approval of the new ministerial nominees appointed by President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, March 20.

Mr Bagbin stated that the decision follows an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.

In his final address to the House before adjourning sitting, Alban Bagbin said the lawsuit makes it impossible for Parliament to vet and process the new ministers.

“Hon Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney-General ( Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied.

“Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the ‘spirit of upholding the rule of law’ until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court,” he explained.

The lawyer stressed that the Speaker of Parliament should have consulted with the leadership of both the Majority and Minority before making his pronouncement on the issue.

He remarked, “Through those consultations, his attention would have been drawn to the lawsuit.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame says Parliament is not restrained from proceeding with the vetting and approval process of the ministerial nominees.

According to him, the action filed by Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor consists of a bare writ of summons.

He explained that no statement of the case in support of the writ was filed by the South Dayi MP as mandated by the Supreme Court Rules 1996 (C.I 16).

“It is thus correct to say, respectfully, that the suit is not properly constituted. In accordance with Rule 46(3) of C. I. 16, such an action will be struck out where a statement of case in support of the plaintiff’s writ is not filed within fourteen (14) days. 

“The plaintiff has not filed an application for interlocutory injunction seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President or indeed any other interlocutory relief. 

“Thus, there is nothing before the Supreme Court which may constitute a restraint or fetter on Parliament from proceeding with the approval of ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees presented to Parliament by the President in accordance with articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution,” the Attorney-General said.

ALSO READ:

• Bagbin is a very wise man but … – Atta Akyea on suspension of…

• ‘I’ll eat humble pie if I were Bagbin’ – Atta Akyea

Mr. Yeboah Dame criticised Speaker Alban Bagbin‘s decision to suspend the approval process for the nominees, accusing him of being misinformed.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3 on Thursday, March 21, Godfred Dame emphasised the need to swiftly resolve the impasse.

He said the ongoing deadlock is harmful to the country’s interests and governance system.

“So we must stop undue and unwarranted politicking, as simple as that. When we stop the undue and unwarranted politicking, we will come to the conclusion that the action filed by Dafeamakpor is wholly unrelated to the approval processes of the ministers and deputy ministers in question.

“I mean, Dafeamakpor’s action, the substance and the effect of it is to challenge the president’s decision to reassign ministers who have been relieved of their previous portfolio.

“What relationship does he have with the processes for approval of freshly appointed ministers and deputy ministers who have duly been submitted to Parliament for approval?”

ALSO READ:

• Recalling parliament won’t crucify Christ afresh – Atta Akyea tells Bagbin

• Inusah Fuseini defends Bagbin on suspension of ministerial approval

According to him, every human being is prone to error, but refusing to acknowledge one’s faults is worse, painful and akin to seeking revenge.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Friday, Mr. Atta Akyea said while the Speaker is a wise person, sometimes his actions are not well thought through.

“The Speaker’s decision does not bode well for democracy. It’s very painful. The letter should not be a worry to you. The letter is not binding on Bagbin. Bagbin is very wise, but this decision is very painful” he stressed.

Mr. Bagbin’s decision comes after the Presidency asked Parliament not to send the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ Bill) for President Akufo-Addo’s approval.

He justified his action by citing an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by the MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor which he claimed prevents him from approving new ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo.

But Atta Akyea criticized the decision as frightening and a grave fundamental error.

“He failed to listen to our side, but engaging in tit for tat does not augur well. Even if the injunction has not been filed, why rush? He should just accept his faults” he added.

ALSO READ:

You can sue Speaker Bagbin if… – Lawyer tells AG

My leadership will resist any affront to the democracy of Ghana…

Dafeamekpor hasn’t filed injunction against new ministers – AG tells Speaker

Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, recently halted the consideration of Ministers and Deputy Ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo.

This action came in response to an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by MP Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor from South Dayi, which prevented Parliament from approving new ministers nominated by the President.

Mr. Bagbin’s decision followed a directive from the presidency to Parliament not to forward the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values popularly known as Anti-LGBTQ Bill for President Akufo-Addo’s approval.

The Presidency cited an ongoing interlocutory application at the Supreme Court as the basis for the directive.

In his official response, Bagbin reiterated Parliament’s inability to proceed with the approval of new ministers under such circumstances.

In support, Mr. Fuseini said the Speaker was safeguarding the dignity and sanctity of Parliament.

In his view, Mr. Bagbin’s action is in response to the President’s unconstitutional handling of Bills from Parliament.

“This is a needless escalation of tension by the Office of the President, following the letter that was written by his executive secretary to the clerk of Parliament. The Speaker is obviously concerned with the apparent unconstitutional act of the president in the way he’s treated bills by the parliament. The combined effect of this is to lower Parliament in the estimation of the Ghanaian people and weaken the institution of Parliament. As head of the institution, he has a responsibility to ensure that the dignity and sanctity of the institution are maintained” Mr. Fuseini said in an interview on Citi FM.

“The Speaker’s recent action is a vivid demonstration of the absurdity of the decision of the presidency to reject the transmission of the Bill passed by Parliament to his office,” he stated.

ALSO READ:

‘I’ll eat humble pie if I were Bagbin’ – Atta Akyea

You can sue Speaker Bagbin if… – Lawyer tells AG

My leadership will resist any affront to the democracy of Ghana – Bagbin to…

The decision on Wednesday was informed by an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor.

Speaker Bagbin also cited a letter from the presidency on the anti-LGBTQI+ bill which instructed Parliament not to transmit it for the President’s assent.

The presidency cited an ongoing interlocutory application at the Supreme Court as grounds for their decision.

“The ongoing scenario poses a grave threat to our legislative authority and, by extension, the democratic principles we strive to uphold. The implications of such executive actions extend far beyond the immediate legislative items at hand. They erode the foundational checks and balances that our forebearers painstakingly established to ensure a vibrant and functioning democracy.”

“The Parliament of Ghana will comply with the existing legal framework and reject the attempts by the Executive Secretary of the President, through his contemptuous letter, to instruct the Clerk to Parliament, an Officer of Parliament whose position is recognizably under the Constitution. We shall not cease and desist!,” he stated.

In this regard, the Speaker stated Parliament can also not proceed with the approval of new ministers under similar circumstances.

“Be that as it may, Hon Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney -General ( Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied.

“Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law “ until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court,” he explained.

ALSO READ:

• Anti-LGBTQI+ bill: Dafeamekpor disagrees with Akufo-Addo

• Akufo-Addo appoints caretaker ministers

Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Ebenezer Nartey has said he is very disappointed in Cape Coast South MP, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan for claiming that some NDC MPs took bribes to approve six new ministers.

According to Mr Nartey, his comments are in bad taste and casts the parliamentarians in a bad light.

Mr Ricketts-Hagan made the allegation after some National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs defied party directive to reject Akufo-Addo’s appointees.

He claimed some of the Majority MPs prior to the voting told them in the face that “some of our people have been bought.”

Reacting to the comments on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Nartey said, “I am very disappointed in Ricketts-Hagan because for a whole MP to sit on national TV and say his colleagues took bribe! I don’t think it proper.”

Asked whether or not he witnessed such an incident during his time in the seventh Parliament, the former Ablekuma Central MP said no.

“I don’t know whether it was because the numbers of the NPP were huge but such things never came to my notice. Except in some instances when a minister will come and his bill is passed and the numbers are few, he will ask that we write the names and at the end, we are giving something perhaps GH¢500,” he stated.

ALSO READ:

Ministerial approval: NDC warned against witch-hunting of MPs

• Ministerial Approval: This is how much ‘traitor’ NDC MPs were allegedly paid [Listen]

Play audio above:

According to him, the party risks disunity going into the 2024 general election if the outbursts and condemnations do not cease.

He said where the party stands now, it is not good for them to fight each other as they need to be more united and be able to achieve their aim of winning the 2024 election.

On Friday 24th March 2023, Parliament held a secret ballot to determine the fate of some six new ministerial nominees.

After the voting, some Minority MPs voted in favour of the appointees which was contrary to a directive by the party for the MPs to reject the nominees.

The outcome did not go well with party folks and executives who have threatened to deal with those members who defied the order.

But Dr Tutu-Boahen, commenting on the matter on Burning Issues hosted by Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom on Adom FM, stated the deed had already happened.

ALSO READ:

I feel betrayed – Sam George to NDC MPs who voted to approve new…

Sideline all ‘backstabbing’ MPs who voted for 6 nominees – Group tells NDC

In his view, it is about time the NDC ignores what has happened and moves forward to focus more on building unity for their common goal of winning 2024 election.

He stated again that if the party keeps pointing fingers and publishing names of those who sent pictures of their votes, they may, unfortunately, add those who did not take pictures of their votes but followed the party’s order.

Such people he warned will be angry within them which will be more dangerous for the party.

“You see if you punish the MPs whom you think defiled your orders, and go ahead to replace them with candidates at their constituencies, the constituent may not like an imposed candidate and we may witness what happened at Fomena in 2020 again,’’ Dr Tutu said.

Nabdam MP Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane also said the harm has already been caused and therefore begged his party members to put it behind them so they can focus on their strategies and build peace for the party for 2024.

He simply explained his stance in the Akan proverb that efie bia Mensa wo mu to wit, there were MPs who will disregard the party’s decision.

To him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a party is lucky to have leaders who are faithful and loyal to the party’s cause as well as the nation’s.

 “If you have the head of the family who is a ‘Mensa’ then the family is done. But if you’re lucky and the family head is not the Mensa, he can help the family progress even in the presence of members who are Mensas.

“We are lucky, our presumptive flagbearer is not a Mensa, our party leaders, from the Chairman, General Secretary and those who lead us in Parliament are not ‘Mensah.’

“NDC is blessed because even with the number of ‘Mensa’ we have within the party, with this right leadership we are assured that they will always work in the interest of the party.”

Mr Adams explained that he has submitted evidence of his vote cast to party leadership which has exonerated him as a party faithful.

He indicated that during the party’s countless consultations with the lawmakers, colleagues should have given a heads-up on voting against the party’s decision. 

ALSO READ:

I am profoundly disappointed but… – Minority Leader

Minority MPs who approved new ministers betrayed us – Ayariga

He added that the Minority Caucus could have walked out as proof of their disapproval of the new ministers.

“None of our colleagues was bold enough to tell us they will vote against what we agreed on as a party. We would have understood if they told us their constituents want them to vote otherwise. Also if we knew about this, we could have walked out as a Caucus,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

He explained that the action is proof that it was time for persons to set aside their political differences to serve the national interest. 

“What happened on Thursday and Friday is proof that we’ve gotten to a point where we set aside our personal interests, personal ego or I will not support anything from my opposition party.

“I commend the parliamentarians, starting from the Speaker of Parliament to the majority caucus headed by Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu and the Minority Caucus led by Ato Forson. This is not NPP’s victory or NDC’s defeat, it’s Ghana’s victory.”

Mr Frimpong disclosed that since the Covid-19 pandemic sprung into the world, some allowances for government appointees have been scrapped.

To him, scrapped allowances and reduction of government appointees’ salaries are the same as reducing the size of government.

“Since Covid broke out, government appointees be it, ministers, CEOs salaries have been reduced by 30% to 50%. Some also do not enjoy fuel allowances anymore. And also allowances they get for attending meetings have all been scrapped.  So it is just like reducing the ministers.”

Explaining Adwoa Sarfo’s absence during the parliamentary voting session, he said the lawmaker informed party leadership.

“Adwoa Sarfo gave vivid explanations as to why she was absent to party leadership and we accepted it.”

He debunked claims that NPP director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah said that MPs of the Minority Caucus took bribes to vote in favour of the new ministerial nominees.

ALSO READ:

NPP using ‘useless’ tactics to delay voting on ministerial nominees – Murtala Mohammed

NPP MPs turn up in numbers as parliament decides fate of ministerial nominees

To him, some members of the minority voted in approval of the ministerial nominees because of their personal interest which is fair.

“Let’s not condone these things. I will be surprised that our NPP director of Communications will say that. I don’t believe he said that,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

He suggested that political parties work together as one to build a better Ghana.

Parliament approved six new ministerial nominees on Friday, March 24, 2023.

Out of the 275 Members of Parliament, three were absent including Dome Kwabenya’s Adwoa Sarfo while 272 voted.

To him, the lawmakers putting their friendships and personal interests above the party’s is shameful and an act of indiscipline.

“I think that it’s shameful I think that it’s not done, I think that it’s an act of indiscipline from our honourable members. Those who did that must be punished,” he said.

“I want to be a deputy general secretary of a party that upholds rules and upholds discipline. I want to believe if this happened within the party, anybody can punish us because for me I believe in fairness.

“But this one all those who did that, they must bow down their heads in shame. But all those who stood by the party, as Ghanaians we commend them for a good job done,” he said.

He charged constituents of the MPs to blame them for the turn of events until they are able to prove their innocence.

Mr Gbande explained that party leaders alongside the MPs in unison agreed to disapprove the nominees to serve the interest of Ghanaians.

“Constituencies should hold each of their parliamentarians responsible and accountable to this action. If you’re unable to explain yourself, then you have no business in parliament.

“So this position is not to satisfy the National Chairman, it is not to satisfy the General Secretary, it is not to satisfy the presumptive flag bearer or the council of elders. It is a decision that Ghanaians want and we have taken that decision for them,” he added.

ALSO READ:

Is NPP, NDC leadership shepherding MPs to take decisions?

Traitor NDC MPs must do some serious soul-searching and learn to be nationalistic –…

He went on, “If you think that you don’t agree with the decision, you ought to be bold enough, to be patriotic to come out and state that you are going to go against the decision for one reason or the other. But we don’t sit down and talk and all of us agree. This kind of people you cannot take to war, they’ll betray,” he fumed.

According to him, the party will conduct investigations and punish all those culpable of flouting the party decision.

He said MPs can clear themselves only if they have evidence of their vote.

“We’re conducting investigations as far as I’m concerned the burden of proof lies on the MPs individually that you’ll exonerate yourself by providing evidence. Until you do that you’re guilty of the crime.

“You have to prove your innocence and you have to prove that you upheld the party’s position. That we will do because if we’re not able to bring discipline and order to the party, we don’t have a party,” he said on Accra-based Neat FM.

Parliament has approved nomination of the new ministers appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

This was after secret voting by Members of Parliament (MPs) of both Minority and Majority in Parliament.

By this, Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond is now the Minister of Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.

The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong is also the substantive Minister for Food and Agriculture while Stephen Asamoah Boateng is the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP for Akuapem South, who was a Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the MP for Karaga, and the immediate-past Deputy Minister of Energy is now a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

This was while she was expressing her disappointment over the outcome of the secret ballot on President Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees last Friday.

“On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he [JJ Rawlings] was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!”

To Dr Agyemang-Rawlings, the outcome of the voting is shocking, disappointing and could not fathom why they will break the directive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership.

Taking to Facebook, the lawmaker stated any MP who disagreed with a position of the party and leadership should have had the courage of their convictions and speak up.

It is, therefore, cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda.

Alas! She noted the Founder is no longer with them, “but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately!

“We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana,” she fumed in a Facebook post.

ALSO READ:

Ministers’ approval: The NDC MP who left her father’s funeral to vote

Approval of 6 ministers: I took pictures of my vote as evidence of my…

She added: “As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?”

Meanwhile, some high-ranking NDC members including former President John Mahama, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, General Secretary; Fiifi Kwetey among others have condemned the MPs for betraying the interest of the party and Ghanaians at large.

Below is the full post:

This was in a statement by the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, which condemned MPs who voted in favour of the nominees.

The statement expressed disappointment in those lawmakers, adding that they placed their parochial interest ahead of the interest of Ghanaians.

Mr Kwetey stated the lawmakers who voted to approve the appointees have betrayed the party following a directive for all their MPs to reject them in their bid for President Akufo-Addo to downsize its government.

“The party, on behalf of all Ghanaians, condemns this conduct in no uncertain terms, as it not only betrays the expressed will of the party, but the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana.

“The party wishes to reaffirm its principled position for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his bloated government and reset his priorities to reflect the difficult times Ghanaians find themselves in,” the statement read in part.

ALSO READ:

Ministers’ approval: The NDC MP who left her father’s funeral to vote

Traitor NDC MPs must do some serious soul-searching and learn to be nationalistic –…

This comes on the back of wild condemnations by some NDC gurus including former President John Mahama who also expressed disappointment in the lawmakers.

Mr Mahama, who tagged the few NDC MPs as traitors, admonished them to undertake a serious soul-searching and learn what it means to be nationalistic.

Below is the full statement below:

25h March 2023

NDC REAFFIRMS ITS POSITION ON THE NEED FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DOWNSIZE HIS GOVERNMENT IN THE WAKE OF PARLIAMENT’S APPROVAL OF NEW MINISTERIAL NOMINEES.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken notice of the outcome of a vote on new Ministerial nominees on the floor of Parliament, yesterday, 24th March, 2023.

Ghanaians would recall that the party issued a directive to the Minority Caucus in Parliament to reject the new Ministerial nominees a few weeks ago.

This was in alignment with the pervasive view of Ghanaians that this moment of economic crisis and financial haircuts, calls for the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to show by example that it is willing to reduce its expenditure by downsizing its government among other things.

We note, however, that some Members of Parliament on the side of the NDC Minority for reasons known to themselves, elected to place their parochial interest ahead of the interest of Ghanaians.

The party, on behalf of all Ghanaians, condemns this conduct in no uncertain terms, as it not only betrays the expressed will of the party, but the desire of the Ghanaian people and constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana.

The party wishes to reaffirm its principled position for President Akufo-Addo to downsize his bloated government and reset his priorities to reflect the difficult times Ghanaians find themselves in.

The party commends highly, the leadership of the Minority caucus in Parliament and Members of Parliament who stayed true to the expectations of the party and the Ghanaian people. We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course. Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.

It must be noted that, the National Democratic Congress as a body corporate, has multiple structures, represented by elected and appointed officers who are expected to act in the supreme interest of suffering Ghanaians, particularly the over six (6) million supporters of the party. The party as a corporate entity therefore bears no liability for the deviant action of the few self-seeking Members of Parliament who betrayed the collective cause of the party and the nation.

Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory. It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.

The NDC shall continue to hold the government accountable for the socio-economic quandary that our country finds itself and present our superior alternatives to Ghanaians in our bid to rescue the soul of our nation.

We are not oblivious of the fact that, the road to rescue will at a point become rough, howbeit such obstacles only strengthen our resolve to achieve the rescue mission. We shall leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring our dear nation out of our present economic doldrums.

Signed.
Comrade Fifi Fiavi Kwetey
General Secretary

He said the Minority’s refusal to support the approval process at the Committee level will force a secret ballot when the report is presented to the House this week.

“Our recommendation will be that the Majority says yes, the Minority says no. If we recommend approval by consensus, then, the decision is taken by voice vote. But when it’s recommended by a majority decision, then the report is adopted by a secret ballot.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on February 7, 2023, nominated six members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to replace some outgoing ministers.

They have subsequently been vetted by the Appointments Committee awaiting approval by Parliament.

But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had earlier directed the Minority Caucus in Parliament not to approve the new ministerial nominees.

The NDC described the nominations as insensitive and will affect government spending in the midst of an economic mess created by president Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

ALSO READ:

Appointments Committee has no power to disqualify ministerial nominees – Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu

Vetting of ministers: I’ll comport myself as ‘class prefect’ if committee members do so…

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 party said it has appealed to the government and president Akufo-Addo on numerous occasions to cut down on the number of appointees, but the president has remained adamant.

It said the option available to the party to attempt to compel the president to cut down the size of his government is to direct members of the party in Parliament to reject the nominees.