Osafo-Marfo was disrespectful and arrogant - Sampson Ahi

The Member of Parliament for Bodi constituency and a member of the Appointments Committee in Parliament, Sampson Ahi has described the Senior Minister-designate, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Marfo as an arrogant person.

According to him, the former finance minister under the erstwhile Kufuor administration, exhibited extreme arrogance and disregard for the vetting committee last week when he appeared before legislators to be vetted for his position.

Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu had asked Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo over his role as finance minister in 2004 and the controversies that occurred during his time as Minister – the CNTCI loan which never materialized and the Atlas production controversy which occurred when the nominee was Education and Sports minister.

The nominee in his response said “I think you were too young at the time to understand the issue,” he responded leading the audience to burst into uncontrollable laughter.

He was however asked to withdraw which he did explaining further that, the story was a propaganda which his political opponents wind to tarnish his image.

But Mr. Ahi speaking in an interview with Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm said, he was disappointed in the Minister-designate for his demeanor when he appeared before the committee.

When asked to give his impression about the vetting so far, he said, the public will be the best judge however he singled out Dr. Kan Dapaah the nominee for National Security, for performing creditably.

‘’Some of the nominees performed creditably. Dr. Kan Dapaah carried himself well. He did well both in camera and the few minutes we spent with him in public. He was not arrogant and so I was very impressed with his performance. I was also impressed with the Interior Minister-designate. The only nominee I had a problem with was Osafo Maafo. He was arrogant . He didn’t respect the committee. His composure and answers given to his answers were not encouraging. Referring to Okudzeto Ablakwa as a ‘small boy’ was below the belt, it was uncalled for. He saw himself at a level and the committee as ‘small boys’. Those who voted for Okudzeto to represent them in Parliament do not see him as a small boy. His response was unacceptable for someone who is going to be a Senior Minister. He was not respectful.’’

He also slammed the Finance Minister-designate, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta over his offshore account saga which the chair ruled for him not to answer.

According to him, he failed to capture that in his CV and if a member had not asked him about it, it would not have been made known to the committee.

He further chided him over his response to the DKM repayment which the President, Nana Akufo-Addo promised prior to the campaign.

The Minister-designate in an answer as to when they will make the payment said the promise has not been captured in their manifesto.

He added the NPP lied to Ghanaians by promising to repay the customers of DKM.

The NPP he insisted must deliver on each of their promises since Ghanaians will hold them accountable to their pledges.