The Minority in Parliament has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent vetting of three ministerial nominees, citing bias, lack of preparation time, and an atmosphere of intimidation.
The group accused the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of partisan behaviour that undermined the scrutiny of the three nominees.
At a press conference on January 15, 2025, MP for Tano North, Gideon Boako, described the vetting process as rushed and obstructive.
He said, “The Chairman denied us the opportunity to thoroughly vet the nominees by failing to provide their CVs in advance and not allowing questions on preliminary issues. This is a betrayal of the trust Ghanaians have placed in Parliament,” Dr. Boako said.
He alleged that committee members on the Minority side were shouted at and bullied, describing the Chairman’s behavior as protective of the nominees.
“If this attitude continues, it will cause irreparable harm to our democracy, allowing unqualified individuals to hold key positions,” he warned.
The Minority criticized Finance Minister Designate Cassiel Ato Forson for being evasive and unprepared. They questioned his commitment to fulfilling some NDC campaign promises, including paying first-year tertiary tuition fees and extending Free SHS to private schools.
Ghanaians, he said deserve clarity because the Minister-designate’s responses showed he either didn’t do the numbers or has no intention of honoring these promises.”
The Minority also questioned Dr. Ato Forson’s plans to address revenue shortfalls from proposed tax cuts.
Dr. Boako questioned the expenditures the new government would cut, “Salaries, allowances, or social programs? Ghanaians need answers,” he stated.
The Minority also slammed the Energy Minister-designate John Jinapor for inconsistencies in his statements about fuel supply and policies. They referenced his previous claim that Ghana had only five hours of fuel stock, which later proved misleading.
Dr. Boako remarked, “The lights are still on. His alarmist statements were unfounded.”
They also questioned his shifting stance on private sector involvement in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and questioned whether the nominee intends to introduce ‘goro boys’ into ECG activities.
The Minority caucus accused Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate, Dr. Dominic Ayine, of conflict due to his law firm’s involvement in arbitration cases against the state.
“How can Ghanaians trust that their money will be safe when the Attorney General is personally tied to cases involving $500 million in claims,” Boako questioned.
The Minority also opposed Ayine’s proposal to establish a Public Tribunal, linking it to historical injustices and arguing that the High Courts can handle specialized cases hence there is no need for a Public Tribunal associated with past abuses.
The Minority urged Ghanaians to demand better oversight and accountability stressing that the vetting process is not just about the nominees but about the future of Ghana’s democracy.
