The Majority in Parliament is accusing the minority of deliberating scuttling government’s business after it boycotted the vetting of some deputy ministers-designate Wednesday.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs say the decision by the minority was done to frustrate government’s “ambitious projects” which have to be driven by the Ministers.
Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw Kyeremeh, told Joy News Minority leader Haruna Iddrius had hinted the NDC MPs would not be part of the vetting process beyond Wednesday.
“They have taken the decision that they will not work [so] what is their business being in Parliament if they are not going to work?” he quizzed.
The vetting process of the last batch of 54 ministers and deputy ministers has not been quite smooth as the government had anticipated. Parliament is expected to rise on Friday and resume in the middle of May, but government has urged it to speed up the vetting process before that is done.
On Wednesday, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs boycotted vetting of the Appointments Committee, citing cases of unfairness and disrespect.
The Committee had unanimously agreed to vet 19 Deputy Ministerial nominees before the House rises, but days later more nominees have been added.
NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the development demonstrates the posture of the majority which is to dismiss suggestions of the minority.
He said the minority has cooperated so far but the majority members on the Committee have often refused to adopt their position on issues relating to the vetting of the last batch of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s nominees.
“They should aim towards consensus [and] towards respect for the views of the minority and Ghanaians,” he said. “They need to listen to the voice of the minority…they can treat everybody with contempt.”
The former Deputy Education Minister hinted the NDC MPs will not be part of the plenary session of the House to approve the vetted Deputy Ministers.
“We will not be part of it because we cannot be seen supporting the process that we were not part of,” he said. “We don’t want to be part of potential embarrassment.”
But Mr Ameyaw Kyeremeh said they will not sit idle whilst the NDC MPs attempt to bog down efforts of the government to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
“What they are doing, the people of this country will get to hear about it,” he said, adding the majority will do all it can to conduct the vetting process without difficulty.
