Such rejections typically indicate serious concerns that cannot be overlooked by the committee, which is responsible for evaluating the qualifications and abilities of nominees for their prospective roles.
Reverend Dr. Kwesi Owusu Bi made history as the only nominee to be entirely rejected by the committee, according to a report from GhanaWeb.
Nominated in 2007 by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor for the position of Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, his nomination was turned down by a majority vote led by Freddie Blay, with members including Alban Bagbin.
The committee cited discrepancies in his statements and inaccuracies in his submissions, particularly related to a controversial housing project.
This involved a GH¢30 million allocation from the Upper Denkyira District Assembly intended for the construction of a teachers’ bungalow.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Owusu Bi had not been truthful about refunding the funds after being unable to complete the project.
Following his disqualification, Reverend Dr. Owusu Bi expressed frustration, asserting that he had been honest during his vetting process.
He claimed that the committee’s decision was unfair, especially regarding the GH¢30 million issue, which he explained was meant for research into the project.
He also contested the committee’s findings about his prior experience as an Assembly and Presiding Member, arguing that their conclusions were inaccurate.
When asked if he would appeal the committee’s decision, he mentioned that he needed to understand the procedures better before deciding.
Dr. Owusu Bi announced plans to hold a press conference to clarify his position and assert his integrity, insisting that he did not lie to the committee and that he would provide evidence to support his claims.
He expressed disappointment that the committee relied on external information rather than his testimony.