Appointment Committee of Parliament
The current vetting of ministerial nominees has drawn criticism from the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), which has called it inadequate.
ACEPA argues that the behavior of both sides of Parliament has slowed down the process and prevented nominees from being thoroughly questioned on important national issues.
ACEPA Executive Director Dr. Rasheed Draman urged a review of the Appointments Committee’s methodology to ensure that the screening procedure achieves its goals.
Dr. Draman asserted that, in order to improve the Appointments Committee’s efficacy, its operational framework needs to be reviewed. He continued that the current approach does not allow for the rigorous examination of nominees on pressing matters affecting the country.
“I think this process has been very unsatisfactory. There is a need for some serious rethinking about how the Appointments Committee conducts its business. We see, first of all, Members of Parliament, particularly those from the Minority, missing a very important opportunity to hold nominees accountable.
“They focus on trivial issues, which do not speak to the competence, integrity, and suitability of the person for the ministry or department they are to lead.
“On the side of the Majority, I think they have turned this whole process into some kind of friendly match. I mean, it is their colleagues from the same party, but I think we still have to take this business very seriously,” citinewsroom.com quoted Dr. Draman to have said in a statement.
ACEPA’s comments come after the vetting procedure was publicly criticized, with many observers calling on Parliament to prioritize substance over party interests during these important discussions.
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