Uncertainty over vetting date for ministers

Parliament on Wednesday failed to arrive at a date when vetting of the President's nominees for ministerial appointments will begin.

The exercise, which was scheduled to commence on Friday, January 26, met a brick wall when the minority side drew attention to the fact that the timing was not appropriate because of a planned three-day induction seminar for all members beginning that day.

The Majority Leader, Mr J. H. Mensah had tried to persuade members of the Appointments Committee to skip the seminar and start the vetting process on Friday because "it is imperative to take the national interest into consideration and get the business of government moving."

He said though the seminar is relevant to parliamentary business, members of the appointments committee could be taken through the procedures by their colleagues who would benefit from it.

Mr Mensah suggested that the Appointments Committee should sit on Saturday and if possible, on Sunday because of the urgent need to appoint ministers and set government machinery in motion.

This was countered by Mr. Asiedu Nketia, (NDC Wenchi West) who said he was at the sitting of the Business Committee and no decision was taken to make the Appointments Committee sit on Saturday.

He said the element of urgency in the appointment of ministers has been eroded by the conduct of ministerial nominees who have already started acting in such capacities without being vetted.

Mr Nketia referred to a statement issued by Mr Hackman-Owusu Agyeman, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, calling on former ministers and directors to surrender their diplomatic passports.

His argument was buttressed by Mr Doe Adjaho, Minority Chief Whip who said such letters could have been issued by directors or chief directors instead of a minister-designate who has not yet received approval to tag himself with such designation.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman explained that he signed the statement as a representative of the President and not as a minister.

The Minority Leader Mr Alban Bagbin said the President has not issued any statement appointing representatives to any of the ministries and described the practice as "dubious."

He said the minority side would like all its members to attend the seminar to be good contributors on the floor of the House even though it is imperative to expedite action on the vetting of nominees.

Mr Bagbin said he is a member of the Appointments Committee and he has a paper to present at the seminar as a resource person and could not perform both functions at the same time.

The Minority Leader said appointment of Ministers is a serious business and it will be desirable if all members, other than members of the Appointments Committee participate in the vetting process.

He suggested that one of the itineraries be sacrificed for the other.

When it became evident that the House could not reach a consensus on the matter, the Speaker Mr Peter Ala Adjetey ruled that the leadership of the house should confer and resolve the issue and report back on Thursday, January 25.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Clerk to the Appointments Committee issued a statement yesterday (Tuesday) that the Committee will meet on Tuesday January 30 to begin vetting of the nominees.