The Appointments Committee of Parliament will Friday vet four of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Ministerial nominees.

Senior Minister Designate Yaw Osafo Maafo, National Security Minister Designate, Albert Kan Dapaah, Finance Minister Designate Ken Ofori Atta, and Defence Minister Designate Dominic Nitiwul will be appearing before the committee today, Friday, January 20, 2017. 

The Minority has vowed to grill the ministerial nominees, promising that the process would be different from the usual rubber-stamping that has characterised the process in the past.

Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, says the Minority will uphold the Constitution by conducting a thorough background check of the nominees to ensure that all of them meet the basic requirement spelt out in the country's laws for ministers of state.

He said his colleagues would explore issues such as the “moral turpitude, fraud” among the appointees.

The four ministerial appointees will open the Parliamentary process that is expected to vet some 35 persons nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Friday.

Controversy

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 the 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 conflicts,” 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.