The Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin is entreating Parliament's Appointments Committee to be tactful when vetting Finance Minister-designate, Ken Ofori-Atta.
"In the past, as a Committee, we worked in an atmosphere of cooperation, mutual respect. I believe that we would put up same posture. Of course, a person recovering from an ailment is not the same as a person already fit and hearty. So we all know our culture, we are sympathetic when people are unwell and the fact that by courageous spirit, he is ready to serve his nation," he stated.
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta who travelled out of the country due to health related issues will tomorrow March 25 face the 26-member Appointments Committee chaired by First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei.
Ahead of his vetting process, Alexander Afenyo-Markin who also doubles as Vice Chairman of the Appointments Committee in an interview with JoyNews' Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwesi Parker-Wilson expressed joy in Mr Ofori Atta's decision to not decline his appointment despite his present health issues.
He lauded the Minister-designate for embodying the virtue of patriotism and one who has shown his readiness to serve his country.
"Nobody would not want to see a brother or a friend on a sick bed. So we are happy he is back hearty and ready to serve his nation. To somebody, he would give up and say 'let me think about myself so this should tell you how patriotic he is.
"This is a man coming from a family that is known for public service, dedication to national duty. His father, his uncles, his grandpas were all part of the struggle to make Ghana a better place. So that is in his DNA regardless of what somebody may think, he is ready to serve his nation," he said.
According to the Effutu MP, Mr Ofori-Atta would also have the platform to finally address some rumours and reports that criticized his administration in the past four years as the Minister for Finance.
"I am happy that we are finally going to vet him tomorrow and give him the opportunity to tell his story - what he did as a Minister for the period that President Akufo-Addo appointed him - what plans he has for the future of our economy in the midst of this Covid, the strategies in place to create opportunity for the private sector and for the economy generally to grow.
"We are looking forward to him using the platform to clarify what could as well be propaganda in the air poisoning the atmosphere and all those things," he added.
Chief among some of these issues is the Agyapa Mineral Royalties agreement, in which former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu accused Minister of Finance-designate, Ken Ofori-Atta and the President of masterminding.
The vetting process of the Minister-designate for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta will be telecast live on public broadcaster GBC at 10 am.
Although Mr Afenyo-Markin did not disclose how long the vetting would last considering the nominee's health condition, it is believed that the Committee will take that into account.
"Well, we are supposed to vet him. Well, we have not set a time yet for nominees. Others spent 45 minutes, others spent 30 minutes, an hour, two hours and all that so let us see how it goes," he indicated.
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