Parliament Endorses Mahama’s Ministers

Parliament has approved the nomination of seven minister-designates for various positions, following their successful vetting and adoption of the Appointments Committee’s recommendation by consensus.

“At the conclusion of the debate, the question is all those in favour say ‘Aye’ and those against say ‘No’. Honourable Members, it is obvious the Ayes have it. The motion is carried. This House has approved His Excellency the President’s nominations,” the Second Deputy Speaker announced.

The seven were approved by Parliament on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 after debating the two reports of the Appointments Committee.

The nominees approved were Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyei-Agyekum, Minister of State-designate for Special Initiatives; Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Region and Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Minister designate for Water Works and Housing.

Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources; Tia Ibrahim, minister-designate for North East; Dr. Frank Amoakohene, minister-designate for Ashanti Region and Akamugri Atanga Donatus minister-designate for Upper East.

Commenting on the report for the nominees for Water, Works and Housing, Greater Accra Region and Special Initiatives, the Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Samuel Awuku, indicated that it was important the government brought clarity to which ministry was responsible for Ghana’s green transition.

The minister-designate for Special Initiatives, Kwadwo Agyekum, has as part of his duty to ensure Ghana’s green transition implementation. However, there is also a minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor.

Samuel Awuku further indicated that the United Nations Conference of Parties, COP27, designated the Environmental Protection Agency as the focal agency to implement Ghana’s green transition. At that same conference, Ghana launched its green transition policy.

“I am bringing this to the attention of the House so that subsequently we can have clarity as to which of these agencies, which of these ministries, is properly going to address this transition into this green energy we are talking about.

“However, I believe these nominees have distinguished themselves well, and I will urge the House to approve them accordingly,” he said.

The MP for Kintampo South, Felicia Adjei, expressed happiness about the nomination of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, as well as the Minister-designate for Special Initiative and the Minister-designate for Works and Housing, emphasising that they would be good ministers.

She expressed her confidence that the “expertise” of the nominees would be brought to bear and serve as inspiration for others to aspire for greatness.

The MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, in commenting on the report for the three, stated that the Greater Accra regional minister-designate had a very short time at her vetting.

It must be stated that she was only asked to briefly introduce herself to the Appointments Committee and thereafter was discharged without a single question posed.

The explanation was that she was known and her abilities to hold the position could not be doubted, adding to her having the support of traditional authorities and former regional ministers from both sides of the political divide, who accompanied her to the vetting.

Jerry Shaib spoke highly about the Minister-designate for Special Initiative and the nominee for Works and Housing. He said they proved themselves well and hoped the same would be reflected in their works.

The MP for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, supported the nomination of the Greater Accra regional minister-designate, calling her “a woman of action.”

She called on the minister-designate for Works and Housing to look at solving the drainage issues in the Ada and Sege area.

For the Special Initiatives minister, she urged Ghanaians to “have hope”, as the President has a lot of initiatives for the nation.

SECOND REPORT

Members of both sides supported the nomination and urged the House to approve the report, which recommended the adoption by consensus.

However, the minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, indicated that his side, obeying a party position, raised issues about the approval of Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.

According to him, the nominee failed to apologise to former President Akufo-Addo for using some “harsh” words at the last State of the Nation Address. As such, the minority would not support his approval.

The committee’s report recommended a majority decision for him, but upon consultation, the minority leader stated that the nominee had apologised, so they agree to approve by consensus.

“Having apologised, having retracted, we can’t stretch the matter. We are no more going to subject him to secret voting.

“We have, therefore, withdrawn the initial intention to proceed by secret ballot and to support the report to be taken through by consensus,” he told the House, upon which all the nominees were approved by consensus.

 

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