Minority Walk-away Was Not Fatal to Ministerial Approval – Prez Akufo-Addo Expresses Joy | Politics

The President of the republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has expressed joy over the approval of the new ministers in spite of the boycott staged by the minority in parliament.

According to the President, the minority’s walk-away just when the ministers were to be considered and approved by the Parliament was an action he dearly pitied.

During the swearing in of the newly approved ministers, on Monday, May 20, at the flagstaff house in Accra, the President said, “it was a pity that at the last moment, the Minority which has participated in all the prior processes found it necessary to walk out of parliament at the formal approval stage. We thank God that the walkout was not fatal to the vote of approval.”

The minority in Ghana’s parliament, boycotted the approval of the newly approved ministers. The reason for the boycott was uncertain but the minority leader’s question on the floor of parliament about the description “urgent matter” for the approval of ministers, sets the tone that the minority were unhappy.

It is recalled that, the ministerial vetting was challenged at the Supreme Court by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor.

The non-existence of substantive ministers for some key ministries such as the Health Ministry posed a lot of challenge for the ministry. This, amongst many reasons led to the reconvening of Parliament upon the request of the majority leader and the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo- Markin.

However, the minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in his submission on the floor of Parliament on Friday, May 17, questioned how the approval of the ministerial nominees was classified as an urgent matter.

He said, “May I ask, how is the approval of the President’s nominees for ministerial positions an urgent matter, when this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government already has a large number of ministers and deputy ministers?”

While walking out of the chamber, some of the opposition lawmakers were heard saying “Ghanaians are suffering.”

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson told the Majority side that “If you don’t care, we care.”

The newly approved ministers include, Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye; Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ophelia Mensah Hayford; Information Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar, Gender; Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman; Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah; Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan; Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, MP, Greater  Accra Region, Titus Glover, Oti Region, Mr. Daniel Machator.

The deputy ministers are for Information, Sylvester Tetteh, MP; Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah; Communications and Digitilisation, Charles Acheampong; Health, Adelaide Ntim, MP Alexander Akwasi Acquah; Works and Housing Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah; Lands and Natural Resources, Akwasi Konadu; Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba; Energy, John Kobina Sanie, Collins Adomako-Mensah; Education, Kingsley Nyarko; Employment and Labour Relations, Festus Awuah Kwofie; Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah.”