Vetting Committee Apologizes for Chaos
The Appointments Committee of Parliament has taken full responsibility for the brouhaha that characterized the vetting of some Ministerial nominees on Thursday, forcing the meeting to be adjourned.
On Friday, January 31, 2025, the Chairman of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor rendered an unqualified apology to the Speaker and the public for bringing the parliament of Ghana into disrepute.
He conceded that “Physical altercations” are not a choice in their dealings.
“The laws of our country emphatically prohibit the same. What happened last night is totally unacceptable and we take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident. The appointments committee would like to offer an unqualified apology to the Rt Hon Speaker, the leadership and membership of Parliament as well as the general public for the unfortunate incident.”
He recognised that their action had drawn significant concern from the Public and calls for reflection on the conduct of professionalism from members of Parliament.
“It is crucial that we restore confidence in our Committee’s ability to function effectively and responsibly,” he added.
Reiterating the Committee’s commitment to working for the growth of the country’s democracy, he urged the members to conduct themselves in a way befitting MPs.
Ahiafor confirmed that the altercation led to the destruction of some furniture and microphones in the Committee room. One of the damaged microphones, he said, was irreparable.
The disagreement was fuelled by the decision of the Majority side to continue and vet two additional Minister-nominees after they had vetted five nominees of President John Dramani Mahama, a decision that was opposed by the Minority side.
The five included Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister-Designate for Labour, Jobs and Employment; Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister-Designate for Environment, Science and Technology; Samuel Nartey George, Minister-Designate for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations; Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister-Designate for Sports and Recreation; and Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister-Designate for Transport.
The two remaining nominees were the Minister-designate for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
