Parliament: Row Over Role of Nominees

THE issue of whether nominees for ministerial positions should assume some responsibilities of substantive ministers generated debate between the majority and minority at yesterday’s proceedings in Parliament.

Whilst the majority side saw nothing wrong with it and explained that the nominees are representatives of the President who made the nomination and should therefore represent him, the minority was of the view that it is unconstitutional and must be stopped.

The minority argued that the nominees are yet to be vetted by the Appointment Committee for approval before they can perform duties reserved for ministers.

The issue came up after the Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey, had read a letter from the Office of the President, informing the House about the President’s nomination of five persons for ministerial positions.

They are Mr J. H. Mensah Minister designate for Pariamentary Affairs, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor (Defence), Nana Akufo-Addo (Justice and Attorney General), Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo (Finance) and Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman (Foreign Affairs).

As soon as the Speaker told the House that the nominees would be considered by the Appointment Committee, Mr Isaac Adjei-Mensah, Deputy Minority Leader, expressed the minority’s dissatisfaction with the appearance of the nominees at state functions which were duly covered by the media.

He said, it is unconstitutional for the nominees to do so because their nominations have not yet been approved by the House to enable them to perform state functions.

The Deputy Minority Leader supported his argument by saying that in 1997, continuing ministers were even not allowed to enter the chamber of the House.

He said, what must be done now is for the chief directors of the various ministries to perform state functions until such time that the nominees would be vetted and approved by the House.

Nana Akufo-Addo, (NPP, Abuakwa) one of the nominees, said the nominees are representatives of the President and there is nothing wrong with what they have been doing.

He said, the nominees have been given responsibility subject to confirmation and that their activities are in conformity with the law.

Mr E.K.D. Adjaho, (NDC, Avenor) on his part said if the nominees are the President`s representatives, then it must be effected in the letter and that promptly brought the Majority Leader, Mr J.H Mensah to his feet.

He told the House that the minority side was raising the issue out of ignorance since letters have been written on the issue.

Mr Mensah’s assertion created an uproar from the minority side and the Speaker immediately aborted the debate.

Meanwhile, the report from the Committee of Selection on the composition of Standing and Select Committees is expected to be laid before the House today.