By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Feb 27, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Parliament for its swift vetting and approval of his ministerial nominees.
He described the process as an “unprecedented achievement in Ghana’s Fourth Republic and commended the lawmakers for their efficiency and dedication.
The President made this know when he delivered his first State of the Nation address to parliament on Thursday.
“… Mr Speaker, I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Parliament for the prompt vetting and approval of my nominees for ministerial positions. This efficiency is unmatched in the history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
The President emphasised that such cooperation between the executive and legislature demonstrated the progress achievable when all branches of government worked together in service to the nation.
He urged Parliament to apply the same diligence and urgency in approving his deputy ministerial nominees, stressing the need for a fully operational government to effectively implement policies and programs.
Over the past weeks, Parliament’s Appointments Committee has been actively vetting the President’s nominees.
The first batch of ministers, included Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson as Minister for Finance; Mr John Abdulai Jinapor as Minister for Energy and Dr Dominic Akruitinga Ayine as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, were approved on January 21, 2025.
Mr Mahama’s remarks underscored a collaborative spirit between the executive and legislature, fostering an environment conducive to governance and national development.
SONA is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition, wherein the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and proposes to Parliament certain legislative measures.
Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, states that the President shall deliver a message on the SONA to Parliament at the start of each session and before the dissolution of Parliament.
It also imposes an obligation on Members of Parliament (MPs), the Speaker of Parliament and the Judiciary to receive the President’s SONA.
Among the dignitaries who graced the maiden SONA included Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the Vice President of the Ghana; Mrs Lordina Mahama, the First Lady; Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and her spouse; Spouse of the Speaker of Parliament; Mr Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, Justices from the Supreme Court and Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Chair of the Council of State.
The others were; Former President John Agyekum Kufour; former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings; Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress; Mr Stephen Ayensu Ntim, the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Mr Justice Kodua Frimpong, the General Secretary of the NPP; Mr Fiifi Fiavi Kwettey, the General Secretary of the NDC and Mr Cyril K.O. Nsiah, the immediate past Clerk to Parliament.
GNA