Vetting of Defence Minister-designate hits snag as Committee deliberate on Barker-Vormawor’s ‘bribery’ allegations

The vetting of Defence Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah delayed after the Appointments Committee raised concern about ‘bribery’ claim by private legal practitioner, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.

Before vetting could proceed on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the committee’s attention was drawn to a social media post on Friday, January 24 by Oliver Barker-Vormawor who claimed that committee members take money from ministerial nominees to approve them.

This led to a deliberation by majority and minority members on the Committee on the way forward to deal with the issue.

While the minority MPs on the committee argued that the reputation of the committee members has been marred, for that matter vetting cannot proceed until the matter is dealt with.

“The internment is not to obstruct government business. These allegations are one too many.
We value our reputation and so we cannot vet today.  If the majority does not value their reputation, the minority does,” Nsawam Adoagyiri Lawmaker, Frank Annoh-Dompreh noted.

Appointments C’ttee summons Barker-Vormawor over ‘bribery’ allegations

But the majority members were also in contention, stressing that the vetting process should proceed as planned while the matter is resolved on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

“We very much care about reputation. Let proceed with vetting so the maker of the statement will bring the evidence tomorrow,” he said in reaction to Frank Annoh-Dompreh’s argument.

Majority members care about our reputation – Ahiafor reacts to Vormawor’s bribery allegation

Barker-Vormawor has been summoned to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at noon to substantiate his claim.

All the back and forth happened at the time the nominee was set and prepared to go ahead with the vetting. The process was delayed for over an hour.

The Committee further suspended sitting for a conclave discussion to arrive at a decision as to whether to proceed with the vetting of Omane Boamah.

Already, Omane Boamah’s vetting did not commence as planned. At 9am when Committee members were set to vet the nominee, they later communicated that a letter sent to the nominee indicated that the vetting was scheduled to start at 11 am for which the nominee was not ready at 9am.

The Committee apologised for the miscommunication and announced that the process will begin at 11 am.

The post Vetting of Defence Minister-designate hits snag as Committee deliberate on Barker-Vormawor’s ‘bribery’ allegations first appeared on 3News.

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