By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Jan 15, GNA – The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed concerns over the vetting process of three ministerial nominees, citing obstruction, lack of transparency, and inconsistencies.
The nominees in question are; Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Finance Minister-Designate; Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Energy Minister-Designate and Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General-Designate.
According to Dr Gideon Boako, the NPP Member of Parliament for Tano North who addressed the Parliamentary Press Corps in Parliament on Wednesday, “the Chairman of the Appointments Committee denied the Caucus sufficient questioning time, refused to provide CVs of the nominees in advance, and was overly protective of the nominees,” he said.
Dr Boako also alleged that the Chair was partisan and shouted at the Minority members of the Committee.
Other key concerns raised by the Caucus at the Press Conference included that the Finance Minister-Designate was evasive.
“…The nominee was evasive and inconsistent in his responses, particularly regarding the government’s promise to pay first-year tuition fees for tertiary students,” he said.
The group also questioned how the Minister-Designate when approved planned to make up for revenue shortfalls resulting from tax cuts.
On the part of the Energy Minister-Designate, the Caucus criticised his alleged lack of accountability and inconsistent statements on the Gold for Oil policy and fuel supply for power generation.
Dr Boako said: “The Minority also questions his shift in stance on private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).”
“…The Attorney General and Minister of Justice-Designate’s conflict-of-interest position, representing companies with arbitration claims against the Government of Ghana, raises concerns about the safety of public funds. We also question the need for a Public Tribunal, given the existing judicial infrastructure,” he said.
The Minority urged the public to reflect deeply on the implications of these responses and demand accountability, transparency, and commitment to the welfare of all citizens.
GNA