The Minority Caucus in Parliament has declared its intention to vote against the new ministers and deputies nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Led by Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minority Leader, the Caucus urged both sides of the House, particularly the majority, to reject the nominees, some of whom are colleague legislators.
Dr Forson stated that the collective decision would assist the government in cutting down on expenditure amid the current economic challenges.
During the debate on the report of the Appointments Committee on the Ministerial nominees, Dr Forson summarized the Caucus's position.
“We stand with the people of Ghana, and we are urging our colleagues from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stand for Ghana and not to stand for their colleagues…it's about the republic of Ghana.
They may be our colleagues and friends and relatives, but it's not about them. I call on you to look them in their faces and vote against them for the future of our country,” he said.
The six Ministerial Nominees presented to the house include Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, Minister-designate for Trade and Industry; Mr Bryan Acheampong, Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture and Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister-designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The remaining nominees are Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State-designate at the Ministry of Finance; Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of State-designate at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, and Dr Stephen Amoah, Deputy Minister-Designate for Trade and Industry.
The Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, implored the House to consider the approval of the nominees. “I will just plead that we approve the ministers,” he appealed.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had earlier directed the Minority group not to approve the nominees before their vetting, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase government expenditure amid an economic mess.
Before the debate, Mr Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the NDC; Mr Sammy Gyamfi, National Communications Officer, NDC, and Mr Justin Frimpong Koduah, General Secretary, NPP made an appearance in the House.
Mr Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, ruled that the House would vote on the confirmation of the Ministerial Nominees on Friday, March 24, 2023.