The nomination of the new ministers named by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been confirmed by parliament after hours of voting.
According to the clearance, Dr. Stephen Amoah, an MP representing Nhyiaeso, will serve as K.T. Hammond’s deputy and the next minister of commerce and industry..
While Stephen Asamoah Boateng serves as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Bryan Acheampong, the member of parliament for Abetifi, also serves as the substantive Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Karaga MP Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam is now a Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance.
The Appointments Committee was unable to unanimously recommend the acceptance of the nominations, forcing the House to vote on the ministers’ fate.
While the voting took place on March 24, 2023, the Appointments Committee’s report on the nominees was considered in Parliament on Thursday..
The Minority angrily resisted the Majority’s attempts to delay the voting.
The speaker suspends the process
Following the suspension of the process, the Minority caucus in Parliament urged that vote on President Nana Akufo-addo’s ministerial candidates take place today.
As a result of the failure of both sides to reach an agreement on how to vote for the approval of two Supreme Court Justices, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo, there was turmoil in Parliament after the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, suspended sittings.
The Minority insisted that voting and counting take place separately, but the Majority insisted that vote for Supreme Court Justices and Ministers take place simultaneously.
In objecting to the Majority’s demand that MPs from their side openly announce their votes, the Minority demanded that voting take place in secret.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, emphasized that they would not hold the voting on a date other than today after the meeting was adjourned.
“We want the voting today, Friday, March 24, 2023, and not any other day. We urge those on the Majority side to return to Parliament immediately, so we vote and are ready with all our MPs and want the voting right away.”
Credit: Citinewsroom
