By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Feb.1, GNA – Mr Frederick Gilbert Addy, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Suaman, has entreated the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament to promote consensus building in order to advance government business.
He observed that in instances where the Majority Caucus tried to “bully” the Minority Caucus into submission during the recent ministerial vetting had not been helpful, therefore agreeing on matters should be the best way forward.
In a media interview to react to the recent chaos in Parliament during the ministerial vetting, Mr Addy said the Minority Caucus was ever ready to co-operate with their Majority counterparts to advance government business but there must be a mutual respect between the Caucuses.
The MP for Suaman cautioned that the Minority Caucus would resist any attempts by the Majority Caucus to intimidate them.
Commenting on the Majority Caucus’ concerns that the Minority Ranking on the Appointment Committee, Alexander Afenyo Markin asked so many questions during ministerial vetting, Mr Addy recalled that during the 8th Parliament, the NDC Minority Caucus at the time used two days to vet Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the then Finance Minister-designate.
More so, probing a ministerial nominee was part of Parliament’s oversight responsibility to ensure that the right persons with the necessary competencies got the opportunity to serve in the various sectors of the country, he explained.
Mr Addy, therefore, urged the Majority Caucus on the Appointment Committee of Parliament to exercise a lot of restraint to advance government business smoothly.
Last Thursday, January 28, the Minority Caucus and their Majority counterparts on the Appointment Committee clashed over disagreement on the number of ministerial nominees to be vetted.
The Majority Caucus wanted to vet two more nominees after it had vetted five already in the day. However, the Minority side resisted, saying that was not the agreed number of nominees to be vetted. More also, it was around 2200 hours, which was too late to proceed with vetting, especially when most of them were tired.
The disagreement resulted in chaos with some MPs turning over tables and destroying microphones.
GNA