Parliament approves more ministers

Parliament on Tuesday approved nine more ministerial nominees who were screened last week by its Appointments Committee.

By this approval the nominees will now have to swear the oath of office and allegiance to the President to assume duties as ministers.

This brings the number of nominees approved by parliament to 21. The first batch of 12 nominees who received parliamentary approval last week, have since been sworn into office by the President.

Tuesday's approval was sequel to the report of the Appointments Committee, which unanimously recommended that all the nominees be approved.

Presenting the report, Mr Freddie Blay, Chairman of the Committee said it took cognisance of "the importance of the position of Minister of State in the effective and efficient administration of the country" and adopted methods to get an informed opinion about the competence, eligibility and experience of the nominees.

Consequently, he said the Committee invited public opinion in the form of written memoranda and oral submission on each of the nominees through the media.

Mr Blay said the credentials of the nominees were verified with the assistance of experts from two state intelligence institutions, adding that they were subjected to in-depth interrogation on a broad range of issues relating to their ministries.

During the debate on the adoption of the report Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni (NDC Kumbungu) implored the media to be tolerant of the procedure adopted by the committee since it is in the best interest of the nation.

Describing some of the reportage on the vetting as "uncharitable" Alhaji Mumuni called on journalists to understand the work of the committee and give a balanced report about the proceedings to remove "unnecessary pressure on the committee."

Mr Salas Mensah (NDC Upper West Akyem) suggested that in future the committee should communicate with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the tax positions of nominees instead of just asking them if they had paid their taxes.

Mr Steve Akorli, (NDC-Ho West) and Mr E.T. Mensah (NDC-Ningo/Prampram) also proposed that social security clearance certificates be presented by nominees who are employers to show if they have been paying the contributions of their employees.

Mr Akorli asked Mr Kan Dapaah, Minister-designate for Energy to "positively translate his theory of affordability into the lives of our people" when he assumes office.

Mr Cletus Avoka ( NDC Bawku-West) appealed to Dr Richard Anane, Minister-designate for Health to fulfil the NPP's promise to abolish the cash-and-carry system of which he was the most vocal critic during the last parliament.

Winding up the debate, the Chairman of the Committee commended members for their contributions. He also lauded the role of the media.

The House unanimously approved the nominees by a voice vote. Those approved were Mr Charles Omar Nyanor, Minister of State for Private Sector Development, Dr Richard W. Anane, Minister of Health and Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Roads and Highways.

Others were Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing, and Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister for Presidential Affairs.

The rest were Madam Hawa Yakubu, Minister of Tourism, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Education and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Media Relations.