Parliament has approved the nominations of Ministers and Deputy Minister of State by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo despite a boycott by the Minority group.
All nominated ministers underwent vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament but the approval process was curtailed in March when the House rose sine die due to suits related to the nominations.
The Majority, however, triggered a recall when it petitioned the Speaker of the House for an emergency sitting to clear the outstanding business.
The approval process on Friday, May 17 was, however, marred by controversy once again as the Minority staged a walkout before the final vote.
The Minority cited the ongoing economic and power crises as a result of government mismanagement and called for decisive action rather than new ministerial appointments.
Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson voiced the caucus’s dissatisfaction, highlighting challenges such as economic instability, food insecurity, power outages (dumsor), and excessive borrowing.
“Our country is facing significant difficulties, including economic instability and food insecurity.”
“Businesses are struggling. While the government has asked Ghanaians to tighten their belts, the government has loosened its belts. Piling up ministers and deputies does not signal to Ghanaians that the president understands the seriousness of the mess created,” Dr. Ato Forson lamented.
He emphasized the need for urgent and effective solutions to increasing the number of ministerial positions.
“The current situation demands urgency and effective solutions, not the addition of more ministerial positions,” he stated.
Among the notable appointments, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has been named the Minister of Health, Lydia Seyram Alhassan the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and Dakoa Newman the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
The ministerial nominees approved:
- Health: Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye
- Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation: Ophelia Mensah Hayford
- Information: Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar
- Gender, Children and Social Protection: Dakoa Newman
- Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development: Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah
- Sanitation and Water Resources: Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan
- Tourism, Arts and Culture: Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, MP
- Greater Accra Region: Hon. Titus Glover
- Oti Region: Mr. Daniel Machator
The deputy ministerial nominees approved:
- Information: Sylvester Tetteh, MP
- Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development: Vincent Ekow Assafuah
- Communications and Digitalisation: Hon. Charles Acheampong
- Health: Adelaide Ntim, MP, Alexander Akwasi Acquah
- Works and Housing: Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah
- Lands and Natural Resources: Akwasi Konadu
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Development: Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba
- Energy: John Kobina Sanie, Collins Adomako Mensah
- Education: Kingsley Nyarko
- Employment and Labour Relations: Hon. Festus Awuah Kwofie
- Gender, Children and Social Protection: Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah