Appointment Committee split over nominee's qualification

The Parliamentary Appointments Committee is split on the presidential nominee for the position of a Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs over his inability to produce a certificate.

For the first time in its six months of existence the committee could not convince itself unanimously to recommend for approval a nominee and has rather thrown the issue to the whole House for advice.

Alhaji Moctar Musah Bamba, the nominee, could not convince the Committee that he has a Foundation "A" Accounting Certificate (AIA), which he stated in his curriculum vitae.

A report signed by Mr Freddie Blay, Chairman of the Committee and laid before the House, said when Mr Bamba reappeared before the committee to ascertain the veracity of his claim that he possessed the certificate claimed his efforts to trace the document proved futile.

The report said, Mr Bamba recounted in detail how he left the certificate in the care of his uncle in Nigeria, who died about eleven years ago and that he also did not care to look for it when he entered commerce.

It said, "he indicated further that all efforts to trace the certificate had since proved futile as the personal effects of the late uncle had not been kept intact after his death.

"In the circumstance, the committee considered the possibility of securing a confirmation from the awarding institution but could not proceed further as members realised that the said certificate was awarded over twenty years ago by the AIA. Moreover, the index number could not be traced as well.

"The committee realised that the nominees undertook his studies in a private institution, the files of which were burnt in a students' demonstration."

The report said the majority of the committee members decided to recommend the nomination of Mr Bamba to the House for approval because the certificate was not a requirement for the appointment.

Those opposed to the view said the nominee had not been forthright with the committee and for that matter they could not recommend him for approval.

The report, however, said Mr Bamba has "a lot of organisational and managerial abilities beside being a successful businessman".

The committee in another report recommended the approval of four nominees to be appointed as deputy ministers.

They were, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Transport and Communications, Mr John Bennam Jabaah, Manpower Development and Employment, Mr Sofo Alex Seidu, Roads and Highways and Ms Sophia Horner-Sam, Western Region.

The House would consider the approval of the nominees next week.