NDC’s parliamentary candidate hopeful for Nabdam Constituency, Lawyer Lamtiig Abugre Apanga, has described as “historically disappointing” the decision of some members of the minority caucus in parliament to vote in favour of the approval of all president Akufo Addo’s ministerial nominees.
According to him, the persistent clamours from the public, including the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and members of the diplomatic corps for the Akufo Addo’s administration to reduce its size especially in the wake of the current economic crisis confronting the country have fallen on deaf ears, hence the minority caucus should have grabbed the opportunity with opened arms and vote against the president’s nominees in order to compel the government to downsize its machinery.
The erudite lawyer expressed this disappointment in an exclusive interview with A1 Radioonline.com shortly after he worshipped the Lord with congregants of Miracle Pastures (Meehiboug Fountain Gate Chapel) on Sunday.
Further describing the resolve of some of the minority MPs to confirm the ministerial nominees as “unfortunate,” the private legal practitioner said the NDC parliamentarians who supported the confirmation of the nominees did so based on parochial and financial interest to the detriment of the directive of the party and by extension, the will of the Ghanaian people.
“……So, it’s very disappointing that with all the demand from the general public including the NDC that the government should reduce the size of its government, it decided that it will maintain it. So, the burden fell squarely on us, the NDC and our parliamentarians to ensure that this government comply with the demand of the people by refusing to approve those ministerial appointments or nominations.
But it’s very unfortunate, very, very unfortunate for some parochial and financial considerations, some Members of Parliament from the NDC part decided to approve these ministerial appointments, going contrary to the directive of the party and the consensus of the party. Very disappointing, very disappointing, this is historically disappointing,” he commented.
After hours of protracted debates last week Friday to endorse or do otherwise of the six (6) ministers nominated by president Akufo Addo to occupy vacant portfolios, parliament finally subjected the issue to secret votes where all the nominees were passed into office.
Adansi Asokwa legislator KT Hammond was confirmed as the minister responsible for Trade and Industry. He replaces Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng who resigned from his post in order to fully focus on his presidential bid. MP for Nhyiaso, Dr. Stephen Amoah was approved as the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
MP for Abetifi, Brian Acheampong, was also approved as Minister for Food and Agriculture. He replaces Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto who relinquished his position so as to fully pursue his political ambition. Karaga lawmaker, Mohammed Amin Adam, was confirmed as Minister of State at the office of the Finance Ministry.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was endorsed as the Minister for Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs, whilst Osei Bonsu Amoah became the Minister of State at the Local government and Rural Development Ministry.
The approval of these nominees has been met with intense disgust from members of the opposition NDC who hold the view that the minority MPs who supported the former’s approval betrayed the party.
Lawyer Apanga has also joined the fray to express his disgust about the development, saying some of the individuals such as KT Hammond and Brian Acheampong who were given confirmation by parliament have questionable characters and bad records, yet the house decided to endorse them.
“…. Particularly with some of the personalities involved in the appointment. Take someone like Brian Acheampong and consider what happened in Ayawaso West Wagon issue, our innocent supporters who laid their lives down for the party were maimed, were beaten, were violently manhandled, even including a Member of Parliament Sam George was slapped, we haven’t gotten to the bottom of this matter. Brian Acheampong is a key actor in this yet approved Brian Acheampong’s appointment to a ministerial position.
“Then you take someone like KT Hammond who has been unnecessarily insulting, at the least, he comes out very offensive yet our brothers in parliament decided to approve him. This is very, very disappointing,” he added.
He said the confirmation of the ministerial appointments afforded the minority MPs the opportunity to take advantage of their numbers and vote against the appointees to send a signal to the government that would not compromise on the party’s position but the NDC lawmakers “failed woefully,” adding that the party would investigate and get to the bottom of the matter.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Elijah Beyeni Yenibey|Bolgatanga
