The Minority leader says the vetting of
ministerial nominees of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be a sharp
departure from the usual rubber stamp procedure that has characterized previous
exercises.Haruna Iddrisu says they would uphold the Constitution by
conducting a thorough background checks of the nominees to ensure that all of
them meet the basic requirement spelt out in the country's laws for ministers of
state.
Speaking to Joy FM Thursday, the former Employment
Minister said they would explore issues such as the “moral turpitude, fraud”
by the appointees.
Parliament would start the vetting of the 35
ministerial nominees announced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on
Friday January 20, 2017.
But the Curriculum Vitae (CVs) which contained
the academic and professional credentials of the nominees were furnished to
Parliament’s Appointment Committee less than 24 hours to the start of the
exercise.
Former Deputy Housing Minister, Samson Ahi had told Joy News
the minority might consider boycotting the vetting process if they are not
furnished with the documents early.
However, the First Deputy Speaker of
Parliament, Joe Osei Wusu told Joy News’ Parliamentary Correspondent, Joseph
Gakpo the lamentations of the National Democratic Congress MP was
needless.
He said his office and that of others were served with copies
of the CVs less than 15 hours to the exercise, adding the process would be
transparent.
Mr Iddrisu who is also on the committee has confirmed to Joy
News that copies of the CVs have been delivered to them.
“I can confirm
that before we left our offices this [Thursday] evening copies were given to the
minority leaders so we look forward to tomorrow [Friday],” he said.
He
said the Committee would quiz the nominees to test their “appreciation of
policies, understanding of policies and their area of competence.”
The
Tamale South MP said they would ensure government does not create a portfolio to
undermine the “powers” of Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“We are
mindful of duplication of roles that will undermine the efficiency of government
and policy intervention,” he said.
He decried the size of government,
saying the nominated 35 ministers will be a drain on the nation’s limited
resources especially when the president had promised to protect the nation’s
purse.
“There are many role conflict,” he said, asking who would the
Senior Minister, and Monitoring and Evaluation Minister report to.
“We
are not enthused by the decisions of the President. Apparently we will hold them
to policy pledges made to the people of Ghana with the appointment that they
have made,” he added.
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