The Minority in Parliament boycotted the approval process for new ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees put forward by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo citing the excessive size of the government.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson expressed the concerns of the Caucus about the government’s growing expenditure amidst the country’s economic challenges.
He criticized the Appointment Committee’s report on the nominees and argued that it was a majority decision because it could not approve the nominees by consensus.
Contributing to the debate on the approval of the Ministers on Friday, May 17, Dr. Ato Forosn emphasized that the Minority Group’s decision to vote against the nominees was driven by a commitment to prioritize Ghana’s interests.
“Our side voted against the nominees not because we hold anything against them. 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 declared.
He outlined several reasons for the boycott, citing the country’s ongoing economic crisis, food insecurity, debt overhang, and high taxes that burden ordinary Ghanaians and businesses.
He stressed the need for prudent management of the nation’s resources and slammed the government’s wasteful and reckless expenditures.
He said, “Ordinary Ghanaians continue to bite the bullet and businesses are struggling under a 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 called for the government to demonstrate modesty and sacrifice, stating, “It cannot be the case that while the government asks the people to tighten their belt, those in government would have no belt at all. It also cannot be right that while the government urges the people to bite the bullet, those in government and their family and friends chew chocolate.”
He urged President Akufo-Addo to downsize his government, pointing out that both major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have acknowledged the need to reduce the size of the government.
He mentioned that NDC flagbearer, former President John Mahama, has committed to having no more than 60 ministers in his next government, while Vice President Alhaji Bawumia has promised to reduce the number to 50 if elected.
“The least that President Akufo-Addo and his mate, Alhaji Bawumia, can do is to downsize their government. 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 has lost a grip on the economy,” Dr. Forson argued.
The Minority leader reiterated his stance, “We cannot out of good conscience support their approval, especially when this government has been reckless, wasteful, and insensitive about the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian. Based on that, Members of the NDC Minority Group will not, and cannot, take part in a decision to burden the already suffering Ghanaian some more.”